A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Aircraft; Equipment / Tooling
Approximately 40 miles south of BOOZE Intersection at FL240 and 15 miles east of Shaw AFB; JAX Center issued a clearance direct to BOOZE; to cross at 1;100 FT at 250 KTS. A few minutes later; while [we were] still in the descent; JAX Center issued an amended clearance to level off at FL180. At approximately 18;300 FT we received a TCAS RA command to climb; which we complied with and at the end of conflict this resulted in a climb to approximately 19;300 FT. We advised ATC of the TCAS RA; our altitude and that we were descending back to FL180. JAX Center advised us that a flight of two F-18's; in a high rate of climb; caused our TCAS RA and their altitude clearance was 16;000 FT. The fighter jets were at our 8 to 9 o'clock position and approximately 4;500 FT below us when the TCAS sounded. They went behind and below us at 2;000 FT horizontal separation. During the whole TCAS event; we did not have the fighter jets in sight. The TCAS RA climb maneuver was not abrupt or evasive and passengers and crew were not affected; but some did notice the change from a descent to a climb. TCAS RA was caused by high rate of climb by fighter jets that were below our aircraft altitude.
[Narrative #2 contained no additional information.]
Air Carrier at FL240 experienced a TCAS RA; reportedly from a flight of military fighter jets restricted at a lower altitude; but climbing at a very high rate of climb.