United States

Navy Plane Draws Vulgar Symbol in Sky Over Washington State

Navy officials said the stunt was "wholly unacceptable" and "immature," adding that it had "zero training value"

The image below may be offensive to some readers.

Residents of the town of Okanogan, Washington, got quite an air show courtesy of the U.S. Navy.

A U.S. Navy plane based at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island created the sky writing in the shape of male genitalia in the skies over the rural community on Thursday, the station said.

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Officials for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island said one of their planes created sky writings in the shape of male genitals in the skies over Okanogan, Washington, on Thursday.

Many residents spotted the contrails in the clear blue skies above the central Washington town.

Whidbey Island said in a statement to NBC that members of the Navy are "held to the highest standards" and that the "actions of this aircrew were wholly unacceptable and antithetical to Navy core values."

The station added that the aircrew has been grounded and it is conducting an investigation of the "irresponsible and immature act."

Whidbey Island added in a statement to KREM-TV that the stunt had  "zero training value."

"The American people rightfully expect that those who wear the Wings of Gold exhibit a level of maturity," Naval Air Forces Cmdr. Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker said in an email statement. "Sophomoric and immature antics of a sexual nature have no place in Naval aviation today."

The Federal Aviation Administration says it doesn't plan to take any action because the act did not pose a safety risk and the agency cannot police morality.

Copyright The Associated Press
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