Narrative:

Approaching the runway; tower told us to expedite our takeoff because there was a single F-16 on downwind for the same runway. I saw the traffic and told the captain that it would be no factor. I also heard tower tell the single F-16 that there was a 3-ship of F-16s approaching initial for the same runway. I did not consider this formation to be a threat. I didn't hear tower clear the formation for a specific break point; i.e.; approach end; midfield; or departure end break. After an uneventful takeoff just prior to reconfiguring the plane; we received a TA. I stress that we didn't receive an RA. I looked at the TA and it displayed as a '+9' right over our position. We were still climbing out at a pretty good rate. There was absolutely no way we could have seen the 3-ship. Right after the TA; I saw the 3 F-16s fly directly over us still in formation. After passing us; they proceeded to break for landing. I would estimate that we were within 500 ft of their formation. The tower came back and apologized for the departure end break of the F-16s. Then they told us to contact departure. We were never informed by tower about the 3-ship. We were only told about the single F-16 we were expediting for. In my opinion; the error rests equally on the tower and the flight lead of the 3-ship. The lead should have seen us from the time we entered the runway to the time we departed the traffic area. Tower should have also been directive with all types of traffic in their airspace. If they are not being directive; then the pilots need to take responsibility and maneuver their aircraft to avoid a possible midair collision.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reports NMAC with flight of three F16's in overhead entry after instructions by Tower to expedite takeoff.

Narrative: Approaching the runway; Tower told us to expedite our takeoff because there was a single F-16 on downwind for the same runway. I saw the traffic and told the Captain that it would be no factor. I also heard Tower tell the single F-16 that there was a 3-ship of F-16s approaching initial for the same runway. I did not consider this formation to be a threat. I didn't hear Tower clear the formation for a specific break point; i.e.; approach end; midfield; or departure end break. After an uneventful takeoff just prior to reconfiguring the plane; we received a TA. I stress that we didn't receive an RA. I looked at the TA and it displayed as a '+9' right over our position. We were still climbing out at a pretty good rate. There was absolutely no way we could have seen the 3-ship. Right after the TA; I saw the 3 F-16s fly directly over us still in formation. After passing us; they proceeded to break for landing. I would estimate that we were within 500 FT of their formation. The Tower came back and apologized for the departure end break of the F-16s. Then they told us to contact Departure. We were never informed by Tower about the 3-ship. We were only told about the single F-16 we were expediting for. In my opinion; the error rests equally on the Tower and the Flight Lead of the 3-ship. The Lead should have seen us from the time we entered the runway to the time we departed the traffic area. Tower should have also been directive with all types of traffic in their airspace. If they are not being directive; then the pilots need to take responsibility and maneuver their aircraft to avoid a possible midair collision.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.