US Navy hands out punishment for the two 'cocky' aviators held responsible for skywriting a giant penis over Washington state
- The reprimands were not made public as it was meted out in an administrative proceeding
- A military source said that the individuals responsible were permitted to retain their status as aviators
- The aviators, who belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, used an EA-18 Growler aircraft during the incident
- US Navy chiefs ordered the fighter jet aircrew grounded after the stunt garnered massive Internet attention around the world
The US Navy said on Saturday that it has reprimanded two aviators for skywriting a giant phallus over Washington State last month.
Commander of Naval Air Forces, Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, handed down the punishment after convening a Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board to address the matter, The Military Times reported.
'The American people rightfully expect that those who wear the Wings of Gold exhibit a level of maturity commensurate with the missions and aircraft with which they've been entrusted,' Shoemaker said in a statement following the decision.
The reprimands were not made public as it was meted out in an administrative proceeding
'Naval aviation continually strives to foster an environment of dignity and respect. Sophomoric and immature antics of a sexual nature have no place in Naval aviation today.'
A military source told The Times that although the nature of their reprimand would not be made public, the individuals responsible were permitted to retain their status as aviators.
Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker (pictured), handed down the punishment after convening a Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board to address the matter
Following the November 16 incident, US Navy chiefs ordered the fighter jet aircrew grounded after the stunt garnered massive Internet attention around the world.
Those officials from the Naval Air Station in Whidbey Island also apologized for the unseemly display.
'The Navy holds its aircrew to the highest standards and we find this absolutely unacceptable, of zero training value and we are holding the crew accountable,' officials said in a statement at the time.
They described the act as 'immature' and 'unethical' and vowed to punish the crew responsible for the stunt.
The aviators, who belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, used an EA-18 Growler aircraft during the incident, the Times reported.
According to the US Navy, the jet 'left a condensed air trail resembling an obscene image to observers on the ground.'
Although administrative proceedings have concluded, a command investigation into the incident is still ongoing at Carrier Air Wing 3, the squadron's operational command, according to The Military Times.
The aviators, who belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, used an EA-18 Growler aircraft during the incident
Most watched News videos
- Warning: Various graphic clips from ingrown hair removal videos
- Jacksonville man sentenced to life for shooting an off-duty cop
- Flynn leaves court after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI
- Matt Lauer seen returning to Hamptons home after Today show axe
- Victoria's Secret models say n-word during Cardi B singalong
- Surveillance video shows Palm Beach cop shoot his ex-girlfriend
- Abandoned baby found in plastic bag left on motorbike sidecar
- Touching moment Prince Harry straightens young fan's hat
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle carry out first royal engagement together
- Meghan politely picks up a glove and returns it to a crowd member
- Prince Harry asked how it feels to be with Meghan 'as a ginger'
- Royal fashion: Meghan Markle sparkles on Nottingham visit
- PICTURED: Beloved Bronx teacher and father, 36, who was...
- Trump celebrates 'biggest tax cuts in history' after...
- Meet the fish that's so afraid of the sea it lives in a...
- Trump's LAWYER is blamed for tweet that led to President...
- Michael Flynn 'plans to sell his Northern Virginia home'...
- Creepy footage shows the moment serial groper reaches...
- Mariah Woods' mother's live-in boyfriend is arrested and...
- 'A detailed and lengthy set of lies': Former Stanford...
- Could DNA taken from one of the Zodiac Killer's victims...
- Body of army vet, 37, and her beloved dog are found in a...
- Body parts stashed in fridges, horrific accounts of...
- Divers find the body of missing three-year-old Mariah...
- We'll always have Paris: Barack Obama ends his whirlwind...
- Just the tattoo of us! BFFs show off their incredible...
- Diego Maradona's girlfriend is under fire for wearing...
- Top FBI agent who helped lead Clinton email investigation...
- Belgium's 'cursed prince' complains that 15% pay cut...
- Smarter people's brains have better wiring that helps...