Air Force To Pay For Strafing New Jersey School

The Air Force will pay $519,070 to the Little Egg Harbor Intermediate School, which was strafed by a National Guard F-16 fighter jet during a Nov. 3, 2004 nighttime training mission over the New Jersey Pinelands:

Eight of the 2-inch lead rounds punched through the school's roof, knocking down ceiling tiles.

At least one round struck a child's desk, and others scuffed the asphalt in the parking lot.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the mishap. The military blamed the pilot for the accident, but also said poorly designed controls in the F-16 played a role.

I don't understand how there could possibly be $500,000 in damage to the school.

Comments

[Rob]

But, it's military damage.

Remember the toilet seats, hammers and coffee makers that the pentagon ordered.

Just another cost overrun....

[Mark]

I don't understand how there could possibly be $500,000 in damage to the school.

Come on. It's New Jersey we're talking about here! It probably cost the district $200 grand just to get the debris hauled away...