Pilot tied to firing range ‘used for target practice by military jets in hazing stunt’ – World News

A French pilot strapped to a huge metal post claims he was used as target practice by fighter jets as part of a a terrifying “hazing ritual”.

The unnamed man claims he was bound, blindfolded and bundled into the back of a pickup truck before being taken to a secret location on the Mediterranean island of Corsica in 2019.

He’s now taking legal action over the extraordinary allegations, as footage and pictures emerged of him appearing to be tied to a 15ft metal structure.

Reports say was “removed roughly” from the vehicle and tied to the post with a red cross put above his head at Solenzara air base, the legal complaint says.

During the terrifying experience he heard what sounded like fighter jets opening fire and dropping shells around him for 20 minutes with some munitions landing at an estimated 1,640 feet away.

The complaint, reported in The Sun, said “simulated shots” were also fired directly towards the victim.

The 30-year-old pilot is now suing the air force for “aggravated voluntary violence” and “deliberately placing others in danger” by “professionals, army staff and ranked officers”.

It is alleged two superiors addressed the pilot with “sarcastic remarks” before forcing him to wear an inflatable maritime overflight outfit, raise his arms and stand as a “human clock.”

The complaint alleges he heard overhead aircraft noises and realised he had been taken to a live-fire target range, north of the base.

He was untied after 20 minutes and told him to join the vehicle by jumping on his feet as his legs were taped, the complaint reads.

One of his lawyers Silvio Rossi-Arnaud said: “They played Russian roulette with Mirages.”

Those allegedly involved were swiftly identified because they are said to have filmed the scene and posted them on a WhatsApp group.

Mr Rossi-Arnaud said that the cruel prank had cost the taxpayer dearly as “an hour of Mirage flight costs €15,000 [£13,000] in kerosene.

“They are playing with top-level military equipment in a monumental waste of public money,” he added.

A spokesman for the French Air and Space Force, Col. Stéphane Spet, said the images were genuine, but that they gave the ‘wrong impression’ that the aircraft were directing fire at the pilot.

He added that the closest any munition round came to him was nearly a mile away.

He told CNN that after an internal inquiry, “firm sanctions were therefore pronounced, including restriction to barracks, a serious sanction in an officer’s and pilot’s career”. Spet – also insisted the pilot’s safety was never in danger.

However, Frédéric Berna, a lawyer for the pilot said he had never been informed of any such sanctions.

He said: “They show the total impunity that exists in the Air Force.

His client was “no longer hoping for anything” in his military career, he said, but “awaits for justice to recognise him as a victim.”

“He hopes that the institution will put these institutionalised hazing practices to an end, for future recruits,” he added.