Navy Punishes Pilots for Drawing Phallic Symbol in the Sky
The two U.S. Navy pilots who created a phallus in skywriting over a Washington town last month were disciplined for their actions, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
While the details of the disciplinary action the two endured as a result of the stunt were not made public, the pilot and backseat aviator of the plane received administrative punishment on Nov. 22, the Union-Tribune reported.
“They realized that this was an embarrassment to Naval Aviation and the entire Navy,” Navy spokesman Cmdr. Ron Flanders told the Union-Tribune. “This sort of conduct is contrary to the core values of the Navy.”The two aviators received the discipline after a hearing with the Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board. The duo was allowed to keep their positions as aviators, though they have “probationary” status, according to the newspaper.
The most monumental thing to happen in omak. A penis in the sky pic.twitter.com/SM8k1tNYaj
— Anahi Torres (@anahi_torres_) November 16, 2017
In November, the aviators had created skywriting in the shape of a phallus over Okangan, Washington, causing quite a stir in the rural community. Photos of the phallic-shaped contrails from their jet went viral on social media.
While those on social media made jokes about the obscene skywriting, Navy officials took the incident seriously.
“Sophomoric and immature antics of a sexual nature have no place in Naval aviation today,” Navy Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker said in a statement in November.
The aircrew was then grounded as the Navy conducted an investigation of the incident. At the time, the Federal Aviation Administration said it would not get involved since the stunt did not pose a safety risk, according to the Associated Press.
