Posted on 09/09/2017 9:29:33 AM PDT by SandRat
FORT THOMAS — For the second time in two years, an Iraqi jet crashed during a training mission above the Arizona desert, killing its pilot.
According to 1st Lt. Lacey Roberts, public information officer with the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, an F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Fort Thomas at about 3 p.m.
The crash was in the vicinity of Blackrock Road, near the shooting range.
“The pilot was doing a routine training mission in that area,” Roberts told Eastern Arizona Courier.
Cause of the crash has not yet been released. An interim safety investigation board has been convened.
“Typically, the preliminary results are compiled in about two weeks, and then a full investigative board will take over,” Roberts said.
Roberts said the plane carried one person, whom she reported was Iraqi. She said she did not yet have authority to release the victim’s identity.
“The 162nd Wing is located at Tucson International Airport, and we train both American and international pilots,” Roberts said.
The pilot was flying an F-16 belonging to the Iraqi Air Force, according to a release Roberts issued. The U.S. Air Force is training Iraqi pilots in F-16 fighters at the request of the Iraqi government.
In 2015, an Iraqi pilot, flying an Iraqi aircraft, was killed in a crash near Douglas during a training mission with the 162nd Wing.
Graham County Sheriff’s Office provided security around the crash site. Pima and Fort Thomas Rescue teams were initially called out to assist.
This story was edited at 8:55 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, with comments from a 162nd Wing spokesperson.
that makes sense. thanks.
Everyone feel good about this?
It's very common for foreign ally nations to train some of their people in our military schools. Their country pays the bill, we train the student. I've trained with Japanese, Saudis, Czechs, Aussies, Brits, Moldovans, and probably a host of others I can't remember off the top of my head.
Let me assure you of this... There isn't a Muslim ANYWHERE that's an "ALLY" to ANY American Patriot that I'm aware of...
I think it to be absolutely foolish for us to train our own future enemy's in the art of war...
MHO... :(
I don’t remember discussing it. That time frame is about right, though. It does sound scary.
Thanks.
"Ally" is a legal term in this sense, solidified through international treaties and various other agreements. I'm more than aware of what Muslims are.
I think it to be absolutely foolish for us to train our own future enemy's in the art of war...
I'm not worried about it. I've seen the quality of Soldier these people send over. Make no mistake, they send their best and brightest, too. If they weren't so likely to turn on us due to their insane religion, I'd pity how pathetic they are.
Yeah, of that list of nations, one has attacked us in the modern era. I don’t mind Brits, Germans, Japanese, Aussies, etc training here.
Nothing but an idiot thinks it’s ok to allow Sunni Islamic pilots to fly over America. All it takes is ONE to go sudden jihad to hurt a lot of innocent Americans. It won’t be so funny when some Iraqi or Saudi or Afghan pilot goes Kamikaze into the stands of an NFL game and a few thousand people die.
For whatever bizarre reason we decided to train them, it should happen in their own homelands.
I agree.
I think alot of people would be shocked at how many foreign nationals (Iraqis, Saudis, Jordanians, Afghanis, etc...) are at the controls of combat aircraft in US airspace on any given day.
We trained the Air Force of Iran before the Mullahs took over and killed those pilots.
The ammo dump was outside a “Happy Valley”. At night we’d watch rockets go over the dump on their way to where ever, hoping there wasn’t any short rounds.
I’m pretty sure they could have lit us up anytime they wanted.
Later
That is really scary. We had similar situations, I’m glad you made it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.