F-15 Fighter Lost Over Iraq, 2 Missing (Monday)

AP | 4/08/03 | HANS GREIMEL

[kattracks]

F-15 Fighter Lost Over Iraq, 2 Missing

By HANS GREIMEL .c The Associated Press

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar (AP) - Coalition rescue teams were searching early Wednesday for two U.S. airmen from a F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet that went down over Iraq two days earlier.

A U.S. military source said the plane went down near the city of Tikrit, the hometown of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The town is believed to be a stronghold of Iraqi resistance.

It was unclear whether the plane was shot down, the U.S. Central Command said.

The fighter vanished early Monday, but its loss was not announced until later for security reasons, said Marine Maj. Brad Bartelt, a Central Command spokesman.

``You want to protect the lives of any survivors on the ground,'' Bartelt said. ``As soon as you send that information out, what you can do potentially is tip off an adversary or an enemy as to where or what happened.''

Central Command said the airmen and their aircraft were deployed from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

``The coalition expects Iraqi forces and Iraqi citizens to abide by all Geneva Conventions relating to the treatment of prisoners,'' the command said in a statement.

A coalition A-10 ``Warthog'' warplane was shot down near Baghdad early Tuesday in the first reported downing of a coalition aircraft by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile.

Its pilot ejected safely and was recovered by coalition ground forces near the airport, U.S. Central Command said. The pilot was reported to be in good condition.

Associated Press writer Matt Kelley contributed to this story from Washington.

04/08/03 23:05 EDT

[Saturnalia]

What, we shoot down another friendly with a Patriot?
At least we know they hit stuff now.

[ARCADIA]

The 4th ID is on the way. I hope these guys are OK.

[Paleo Conservative]

Isn't that the first F-15 ever lost to hostile fire?

[jigsaw]

Solemn prayers for these two brave airmen. May they be safe.

[ConservativeLawyer]

Isn't that the first F-15 ever lost to hostile fire?

If indeed it was lost to hostile fire, I believe you would be correct.

[CIBvet]

I received an email last night from a friend in town who attends church locally with the MIA pilot and his wife:

" ... (pilot's name) was in an accident last night. There are very little details but it doesn't look as though anyone is signaling on the ground, from his last position. Please pray and notify all your prayer chains and warriors. I'll let you know any details that I can.

Please just pray as the Spirit leads….We've been praying all of Ps 91 and also Joshua 1:8,9

In Him, (signed by the pilot's wife)

I am comforted in the knowledge that both the MIA pilot and his wife understand their strength is in Him. He is a HS grad of a local conservative Christian School.

“Hear my cry, O God. Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter to me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in your tabernacle forever. I will trust in the shelter of your wings.” Ps. 61:1-4

“Truly my soul silently waits for God. From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense, I shall not be greatly moved. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us.” Ps. 62:1-2,8

[ContentiousObjector]

Quite a few F-15's were shot down during the first gulf war, an F-15 pilot who was captured during the first Gulf War was interviewed on TV not that long ago

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Last I remember I think we only lost 2 or 3 F-15's during Desert Storm.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

There were only two F-15's lost (both were E models) during Desert Storm. I would hardly call that number quite a few.
Here's the breakdown,

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/7624/tables/AirWarCoalition.htm

[ConservativeLawyer]

I did a little research, and yes, you both are correct and I am wrong. We did lose F-15's in the first Gulf War. My information was outdated.

[diggerwillow]

I think the fact is that no F-15 has ever been shot down by another aircraft.

[ASOC]

Except by another F-15! (here in Alaska)

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I think one may have been shot down in a peacetime accident by another F-15.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

The Alaska F-15 was the one I was thinking of.

[tubebender]

A High School friend of mine called today to tell me a fellow classmate had passed away. We talked about the war. He was a pilot over Korea and his son flew F15s in Desert Storm and his son-in-law is flying there now. We didn't know about this when we talked so I didn't ask him what the kid flew. His son is now a flight instructor in NC I beleive. I must call him back tomorrow.

[al_c]

A friend of a friend was the pilot of this missing F-15. Please pray for the safe recovery of the pilot and weapons officer.