US Air Force fighter jet makes emergency landing at Shannon Airport

The Journal and Clare FM both reported that a United States Air Force fighter jet made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport on Saturday afternoon. According to The Journal, the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle experienced a fuel issue over the North Atlantic Ocean and requested priority clearance to divert to the airport in County Clare. [1][2]

The Journal reported that a second fighter jet accompanied the aircraft while it was en route to Shannon. Shannon Airport Fire and Rescue Service crews were alerted and mobilised to holding points adjacent to the runway. The Irish Coast Guard and Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats stationed at Inis Mór in the Aran Islands and Kilrush in County Clare were also alerted. [1]

Shannon Airport is the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland and lies halfway between Ennis and Limerick. Positioned on the west coast of Ireland, the airport has a long history of handling transatlantic flights. Nearby Ballygirreen houses one half of Shanwick Oceanic Control, which manages air traffic across the north eastern quadrant of the North Atlantic Ocean. [5]

The Irish government began evaluating sites for transatlantic air travel along the Shannon Estuary in 1934 under Minister for Industry and Commerce Seán Lemass. Initial operations took place at Foynes as a seaplane base before permanent land based operations were established. [6]