(7) 0653Z
(a) USS VINCENNES reorted altitude of TN 4131 at 10,500 ft.
(b) [ ].
(c) [ ] (WCC-SIDES) Recalled that at the time of engagement, TN 4131 altitude was at 11,000 feet about 15 NM on a course paralleling SIDES.
(d) [ ] (observer-SIDES) confirmed growing excitement and yelling in CIC about COMAIR. He looked at WCO's IFF box and "read 6700 block", altitude about 11,000 ft.
(e) [ ] (CO-SIDES) recalled evaluatinq TN 4131 as a non-threat based on CPA to USS SIDES, F-14 ASUW capability, lack of ESM and precedent. He noted an altitude of 11,000 feet and shifted his attention to the P-3 to the west.
(f) ESM intercept:
(1) Airbus A300 carries WXR-7000C-X NAV/Weather Avoidance Radar.
(2) AN/SLQ-32 will show WXR-700-X.
(3) [ ]
(4) Neither USS VINCENNES, USS ELMER MONTGOMERY nor USS SIDES had a AN/SLQ-32 intercept of the Airbus radar.
(g) USS ELMER MONTOGMERY had no ESM contacts that would have correlated TN 4131 to an F-14.
(h) [ ] never recalled seeing an altitude above 11,000 ft.
(i) TN 4131 was at 16 NM, BRG 018, SPD 371 and ALT 11,230.
(j) [ ] (TIC) recalled target altitude of 11,000 ft at 15 NM. He began to update the range every open spot on net 15/16. USS VINCENNES's system data indicated the same values at 06:53.
(k) [ ] (GW) heard continuous reports of declining altitude.
36
