Oklahoma Highway Patrol supervisor says plane inappropriately used

Saturday, September 10th 2005, 11:37 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An Oklahoma Highway Patrol supervisor says an OHP airplane was inappropriately used to fly a patrol secretary and a friend to a family gathering in Fort Supply.

Lieutenant Larry Jackson -- troop commander of the patrol's aircraft division -- says the trip from Oklahoma to Woodward was a no-no and an embarrassment for the OHP.

Jackson says there will be an investigation and he expects disciplinary action against the acting supervisor who authorized the trip. He declined to name those involved.

The Oklahoman received an anonymous letter from a writer who wondered how much taxpayers paid for aviation fuel used to make the personal trip.

Jackson says the trip didn't cost taxpayers anything extra.

He says the Cessna 182 airplane pilot lives and is stationed in Woodward and flew to Oklahoma City after completing an assignment in Chickasha. He was scheduled to stop in Oklahoma City to pick up supplies and equipment and return some navigation equipment.

Jackson says the secretary asked if she and her friend could catch a ride back to Woodward with the pilot and an acting supervisor approved.