USA: WASHINGTON: US PILOT RESCUED IN BOSNIA PRESS CONFERENCE

(8 Jun 1995) English/Nat The U-S Pentagon Thursday confirmed that U-S helicopters that flew the mission into Bosnia to save Captain Scott O'Grady came under fire as the pilot was pulled on board. Admiral William Owens, Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, said a shoulder launched surface-to-air missile was fired at the two helicopters but missed. Admiral William Owens, Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, admitted there was risk involved in the operation to rescue F-16 pilot Scott O'Grady, who was shot down over Bosnia last Friday. He officially confirmed that US helicopters involved in the mission had come under fire. SOUNDBITE: "So it was not without risk. As has been reported there was a shoulder surface-to-air missile that was launched at the helicopters on their way out after they had picked Captain O'Grady up. And so it would be wrong to say there was no risk involved. Everything was done to ensure the risk was minimum and this prudent risk was necessary to save one of our young people." SUPER CAPTION: Admiral William Owens - Vice Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Owens also described the condition of O'Grady who has been returned to the U-S-S Kearsarge in the Adriatic, saying that above all else the pilot was hungry. SOUNDBITE: "That shortly after he had arrived on Kearsarge he asked for a snack and he was provided a 'Meals Ready to Eat' which he devoured, which may tell you how hungry he really was." SUPER CAPTION: Admiral William Owens - Vice Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff O'Grady is expected to spend the night on board the Kearsarge before rejoining his squadron, based in Aviano in Italy, before flying home to the United States, Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...