In 1987, over the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea, a routine NATO drill took an unexpected and tragic turn, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those caught in its wake.

With a lot of geopolitical tensions and armed skirmishes happening in recent years, it’s not surprising how the United States military has been conducting extensive and large-scale war games with its allies around the world. These exercises, long a staple of military training, aim to simulate real-life combat situations and test tactics and strategies against potential adversaries.

This has always been a part of the US military’s tradition to conduct intra-service drills and joint exercises with its allies, forging not just great relations and strong partnerships but also establishing combat readiness and preparedness. But one particular incident during the “Display Determination 87” exercise would cast a long shadow over these endeavors.

A Tragic Anomaly: Display Determination 87

“Display Determination 87” was a NATO exercise that brought together F-14 Tomcats from the USS Saratoga (CV-60) and RF-4 Phantoms from the US Air Force (USAF) based in West Germany. The objective was seemingly straightforward: the Phantoms had to locate the Saratoga and launch an assault if the Tomcats failed to detect them first. The Tomcats, on the other hand, had to approach the USAF aircraft closely enough to read their hull numbers, a critical requirement in these complex war games.

As the exercise began, Lt. Timothy Dorsey found himself at the helm of one of the Tomcats. However, what unfolded in the skies above the Mediterranean was far from routine. Dorsey, for reasons unknown, inexplicably targeted an Air Force aircraft with his Sidewinder missile—an act that would later be described as “illogical” and “deliberate” by Navy officials.

The chain of events that followed was nothing short of tragic. The Phantoms, piloted by Captain Michael Ross and 1st Lt. Michael Sprouse, were unaware of the impending danger as they located their intended target—22 miles offshore. Ross initiated a simulated attack run, completely oblivious to the threat closing in on his aircraft.

Trailing the Phantom, Dorsey radioed the USS Saratoga for guidance, seeking clarification on whether he should engage the RF-4C Phantom as part of the exercise. In a tragic miscommunication, the response from the ship was affirmative. Without realizing that he had been authorized to fire on the Air Force plane, Dorsey unleashed a Sidewinder missile, bringing down the USAF RF-4C Phantom.

The repercussions of that fateful missile launch were immediate and catastrophic. The Phantom was engulfed in flames, its crew—Ross and Sprouse—narrowly escaping before the aircraft was consumed by a massive fireball. A Navy spokesperson later confirmed that the F-14 had indeed downed the USAF RF-4C with an air-to-air missile.

Aftermath: A Search for Accountability

In the aftermath of the incident, an investigation report was released a year later, attributing the mishap to Lt. Timothy Dorsey’s “basic error in judgment” and “an illogical act.” The statement was unequivocal in its condemnation, stating that Dorsey’s actions were far from accidental; they were the result of a deliberate act marked by an astonishing disregard for the known facts and circumstances.

The report’s findings prompted a series of measures aimed at preventing such a tragedy from recurring. The Navy instituted new protocols to ensure that Navy fighters would not be launched from carriers with live weapons during war games with Air Force jets. Additionally, F-14 pilots were required to verbally confirm with radar intercept officers before deploying the aircraft’s weapons.

RF-4C
(Image source: US Air Force)

Life-Altering Consequences: Ross and Dorsey

The two pilots involved in the ill-fated encounter saw vastly different destinies unfold before them. For Michael Ross, the young Air Force pilot in the Phantom, the missile strike resulted in a harrowing ordeal. The Sidewinder missile had torn off the tail of his aircraft, forcing him to eject at a staggering 630 mph. Ross endured 32 surgeries over the years to address degenerative leg, shoulder, and spine injuries, leaving him permanently disabled by Air Force standards. He described the incident as life-altering, a profound trauma that robbed him of his ability to take to the skies again.

On the other hand, Timothy Dorsey’s life carried on with remarkable normalcy despite the gravitas of his error. He was prohibited from flying again but transitioned to an intelligence officer role and continued to advance in the Navy, a move that confounded many who believed such a mistake should have led to his dismissal from service.

In a surprising twist of fate, 2013 brought an unexpected development. Dorsey was recommended for promotion to the rank of Admiral, a decision justified by his outstanding performance as an intelligence officer after his catastrophic error. When the news of Dorsey’s endorsement for promotion reached Michael Ross, the latter said in an interview how he “almost got sick,” as he had been under the impression that Dorsey had been let go from service.

After his promotion, Dorsey sent Ross a letter saying, “I was unaware you suffered from any lingering injuries…. I am truly sorry for the incident and even sorrier for its impact on you.”

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The story of “Display Determination 87” serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences that can arise when war games go awry. It remains a poignant example of the price paid for miscommunication, misjudgment, and the human toll exacted in the pursuit of military readiness. Above all, it underscores the enduring impact of one fateful day in 1987, when the skies over the Mediterranean witnessed a tragedy born of an inexplicable and costly mistake.