Training on hold for ensigns in bird death case

[unhappycamper]

Training on hold for ensigns in bird death case
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff report
Posted : Monday Feb 23, 2009 21:10:22 EST

Four recent Naval Academy graduates will not start flight school anytime soon because they were arrested in Florida in connection with the shooting deaths of endangered birds, a Navy spokesman said.

The four ensigns assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola have been placed on “administrative hold” pending the outcome of their court cases, said Lt. Doug Johnson, the spokesman for Naval Aviation Schools Command.

The four were among seven people arrested the evening of Feb. 17 as they walked out of a wildlife area near Naples after an officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission heard gunshots.

Wildlife officials later found 21 dead birds nearby, including tree swallows and cormorants, which are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Ensign Joseph Gursky, 22, and Ensign Cullen Shaughnessy, 22, both naval flight officers, were charged with felony trespass with a firearm, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/02/navy_deadbirds_022309w/%2e

[Thothmes]

1. Looks like their first tour of duty will

be some reserve frigate.

[Crowman1979]

2. Nah, probably Forward-Observers with the USMC in Afghanistan.

Since they know how to use a rifle.

[Thothmes]

3. Since when did the U.S, Navy ever train

URL officers how to use a rifle properly.