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FReeper Foxhole - Military Related News in Review - May 12, 2003
various

Posted on 05/12/2003 3:28:04 AM PDT by snippy_about_it



Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

.

FReepers from the The Foxhole
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

.

...................................................................................... ...........................................

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Tactical Tomahawk Presses on with 1st Live Warhead Test
Story Number: NNS030509-26
Release Date: 5/9/2003 3:24:00 PM

By Sandra Schroeder, NAVAIR Public Affairs, PEO(W)

CHINA LAKE, Calif. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy’s new Tomahawk cruise missile, Block IV or Tactical Tomahawk, was launched May 8 from an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Stethem (DDG 63).

The event marked the second launch of the Tactical Tomahawk from an operational surface ship and the first live warhead demonstration.

The missile blasted from the vertical launching system and transitioned to cruise flight for the 760 nautical mile mission to target impact on San Clemente Island.

The missile flawlessly navigated the assigned mission through the use of global positioning satellite and Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator. The test successfully demonstrated the unique Block IV weapon system communication capability between Stethem and the in-flight missile. Using the Tomahawk Strike Network, messages were sent from the ship, successfully retargeting the missile and collecting bomb damage indication information. The missile performed a planned terminal air-burst maneuver and destroyed the satellite antenna target.

The Tomahawk missile is ship and submarine launched, and was first employed operationally during Desert Storm. Since then, the missile has been heralded for its accuracy and lethality in numerous operations. The Tactical Tomahawk boasts several enhancements as demonstrated today, which increase warfighter effectiveness and responsiveness, while significantly reducing acquisition and life cycle costs. The missile will become operational in the middle of 2004.

“I am extremely proud of USS Stethem's contributions to the Tactical Tomahawk program," said Cmdr. David Melin, commanding officer. "Every shot is a significant program milestone that gets us one step closer to fielding this next-generation force multiplier for the Navy's land attack warfare mission. The efforts of the 340 ‘steelworkers’ of USS Stethem, program offices, land-based test sites and contractors are paying huge dividends, as evidenced by this second flawless launch from Stethem and fifth perfect flight of the Block IV missile.”


Marines' shifting mission calls for trigger-ready diplomacy

BAGHDAD, Iraq(May 09, 2003) -- Tension mounts as Staff Sgt. Mario Ribas listens to a resident of this war-torn city emphatically make his case for the return of his AK-47 assault rifle.

Marines found two weapons lying in high grass inside an apartment complex soon after arriving to patrol a Baghdad neighborhood. An accompanying M1A1 Main Battle Tank crew staged outside the walled residential area radioed Ribas after watching Iraqi men pitch the rifles onto the lawn. Attached to 1st Tank Bn., the Marines are part of Alpha Co., 1st Infantry Bn., 7th Marine Regiment, from Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

"If you have a weapon, you have to keep it inside. Tell your people they can't have a weapon visible while we're in the area," the 32-year-old Miami-born Ribas calmly tells the man as a growing number of sympathetic Iraqis try to enter the conversation.

"We have to protect ourselves against thieves. That is why we have them," the man repeatedly states with growing frustration.

As the crowd grows, the Marines repeatedly extend their arms forward as a warning to the gathering Iraqis to keep their distance. Ribas doesn't budge but doesn't raise his voice either. After he's relatively assured that the man's intentions are as stated, he instructs his Marines to pass the weapons back to their owners.

"[The Iraqis] are allowed to have weapons for their protection against thieves and looters," says 1st Lt. Jonathan Bonnette, a Headquarters Plt. executive officer for Alpha Co. "If they keep them in their homes and out of sight, we don't have a problem with it," he says.

Still, the Marines take the magazines "to give us time to get out of the area," says Ribas, indicating the precarious nature of patrolling an area where friendly gestures can turn deadly in seconds and where civilians and combatants are too often indistinguishable.

"You really can't tell. You have to kind of take their word for it," says Cpl. Adam Sommer, squad leader, 2nd Plt., Alpha Co., 1/7. "If these guys seem pretty up front and they just want to protect their families, then we give them that right while trying to keep out of harm's way as much as possible."

Soon after entering Baghdad, Marines began patrolling the city's neighborhoods "looking for bad guys," said Bonnette. Part of the Marines' mission is to act as an on-the-ground barometer of Iraqi sentiments.

"We're talking to people to get an idea of their attitude toward the Marines and for what's going on in their city and country right now," says Bonnette. "Hopefully, they'll give us information about where to find weapons and ammunition that are cached in buildings."

Some have come forward with information regarding hidden weapons caches and possible locations of remaining hostile elements. But when the Marines first arrived, Iraqi civilians were more standoffish, unsure of the Americans intentions. "I think they wondered whether they were being liberated or conquered," says Capt. Douglas Schaffer, Alpha Co.'s commanding officer from Arlington, Va.

But contact with the local population is "improving" the relationship.

"They're coming out and saying 'Down with Saddam' and 'We love you,'" Schaffer said.

Children often crowd around the patrolling Marines like rock-star groupies seeking autographs for their soccer balls or just a chance to say "hello." Little girls offer flowers as a sign of affection. Iraqi men of all ages engage the Marines in conversation while women stand in doorways waving and smiling. Some come forward holding babies to hand off to their husbands. Others offer the Marines cold water.

"One lady asked if we wanted to stay for dinner," says Pfc. Christopher Light, a young Alpha Co. machinegunner from Concord, Calif.

Like many of his peers, Light arrived in Iraqi with just a few months as a Marine under his belt. "I've been in for nine months," he says, smiling. "Our [School of Infantry] instructors were telling us to train for war."

Some SOI graduates linked up with the unit after it deployed to Kuwait. Veteran infantrymen like Ribas, who patrolled in Somalia, mentor and train Marines like Light "day and night" to help hone their infantry and leadership skill, says Ribas. In Somalia, he adds, "We were shot at a lot more."

But Baghdad is still a very dangerous place. The Marines are finding "lots of weapons," including rocket-propelled grenade launchers and mines, says Schaffer. "There are still bad guys and there are still shots being fired," he adds.

In mid-April, gunfire and explosions were heard throughout the city at any given time of the day. Accounts of American fatalities from hostile Iraqis circulate amongst the Alpha Co. Marines.

"We know [the Iraqis] are friendly, but there's still a guy out there who doesn't like us," says Pfc. Jason Rodden, an Alpha Co. team leader from Arkansas. "You can't get lackadaisical or it will come back and bite you."

The Marines keep on their toes. When the distinct "pop" of an AK-47 breaks the relative calm of one of 1st Plt.'s afternoon patrols, Marines reacted swiftly and aggressively. One team clambers over a wall in the direction of fire while another skirts along the wall with weapons at the ready. A quick house-to-house search fails to produce the shooter.

Five minutes later, Jensen and his Marines load up in amtracks and humvees to travel back to their base camp. Along the short return route, the Marines will wave a dozen times to Iraqis offering salutations. The minute-to-minute transitions from warriors to goodwill ambassadors require discipline, maturity and courage but the Marines believe they are positively impacting Iraqi lives.

"The country is liberated and the people know it and they tell us that every day. They're very happy we're here. They are looking forward to a free government, which our government has promised, and a freer way of life," Bonnette said. "That makes it all worthwhile."

Submitted by: 1st Force Service Support Group
Story Identification Number: 20035935616
Story by Cpl. Jeff Hawk


Mementos, Diversions, Extra Gear:
What Soldiers Carry to War
By U.S. Army Spc. M. William Petersen

MUTLAA RIDGE, Kuwait — Ask any soldier what his or her most important piece of gear is, and most will reply, “my rifle,” or “my protective mask.”

But when asked what non-issued item is most important, each soldier in 11th Signal Brigade has other answers, and sometimes stories behind it.

Some soldiers have utilitarian items they can’t live without. While many soldiers carry multitools, such as those made by Leatherman or Swiss Army, and Camel Backs™, portable water carriers, that they refuse to part with, others have more unusual items they brought to the desert.

“I don’t like to walk a lot, and with my job, this makes moving around from job site to job site a lot faster,” Sgt. Jeffrey Kilgo, an air conditioner repairman with 19th Signal Company, about the mountain bike he brought to Camp Udairi. Kilgo commutes to and from his work sites on the bike. “It’s a lot easier to park than a HMMWV, and it’s good exercise. So instead of using a truck, I use a bike.”

One item today’s soldiers are bringing to the field that their predecessors didn’t have is a laptop computer.

“I use my laptop for everything,” said Spc. Robert Topchi, a ‘cable dog’ with 69th Signal Company. “It’s good for games, pictures and keeping a diary. It’s all of that in one package.”

The free time he has is often easily occupied with his favorite game on the laptop, Diablo. Other soldiers have also found a pleasant diversions in video games while deployed, some bringing handheld games and others toting full-size systems along. Sgt. Robert George of 11th Signal Brigade brought his PlayStation game system with him and considers it indispensable.

Many soldiers have found a temporary escape from their surroundings in music.

“My CD player is the most important thing to me because I’ve got to have my music to get me out of here,” said Sgt. Ramiro Padilla of 385th Signal Company.

Unfortunately, the sand and rough handling his CDs endured at Mutlaa Ridge, Kuwait, left many of Padilla’s collection of Spanish music -- Azul Azul, Mana and Molotov -- discs beaten beyond repair.

For Pfc. Chris Van Horn of 19th Signal Company, his music helps him drown-out the sounds of his tentmates. “There are more than 50 guys in the tent, so it gets loud,” Van Horn said. “I can go to sleep with my CD player on.”

Soldiers looking for a quieter diversion have turned to books. Sgt. Eric Greenwood of 385th Signal Company brought a large stack of books when he deployed to Kuwait nearly a year ago. Now stationed at Mutlaa Ridge, Greenwood has already read more than 50 books and is in the process of ordering more.

“ I read whatever I can get my hands on,” Greenwood said. “It eats up time. We also do correspondence courses, CLEP tests and college courses while we’re here.”

Staff Sgt. Lin MacCollum, noncommissioned officer-in-charge for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Signal Brigade, has a different memento that he carried overseas with him. Perched on a shelf in his wall locker at Camp Doha, Kuwait, is a small stuffed dog with a leprechaun pinned to its collar.

“When my wife and I got married in Tombstone, Ariz., it was given to me to carry over the border to Iraq if I go,” MacCollum said. “I see it as a reminder of my wedding day as well as a good luck charm.”

Spc. Carl Manzano, a light-wheel vehicle mechanic with HHC, 11th Sig. Bde., is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. His good-luck charm, a baseball cap, has been deployed to the Persian Gulf before.

“ This hat’s been here before,” he said. “It’s pretty beat-up now, so I don’t wear it all the time, but it’s my lucky hat.”

The hat acts as a reminder of Manzano’s hobby: he is an avid outrigger canoeist, which is a hobby not readily available in the desert.

Other soldiers carry reminders of their loved ones. Many have pictures hanging by their bunks, like Cpl. Raymond Hookfin, another mechanic with HHC 11th Sig. Bde.

“The pictures are important to me because I know I still have something to go home to,” said Hookfin, pointing at photos of his girlfriend. “She’s going to be the next Mrs. Hookfin.”

Pfc. Robert Speed, microwave systems analyst with 11th Sig. Bde., wears his reminder everywhere he goes. “We got engaged 20 days before I joined up,” said Speed, raising his engagement ring up. “It helps me think about my fiancé and remember some of the good things in life.”

Another ring-carrying soldier, Spc. Kenneth Dabney, a signal support systems specialist with 11th Sig. Bde., wears his wife’s wedding band and his newborn son’s first ring on a chain around his neck.

When Sgt. David Lee Miller, a signal support systems NCO, was asked what he values most, he pulled out a small laminated news article. “One year after my grandfather died, my dad wrote a [memoriam] into the newspapers,” Miller said. “It became my good luck charm.

“We were very close,” Miller said about his grandfather. “He was a father figure when I was growing up. This is a way to always keep him there. He’s gone, but not forgotten.”



Snippy's Pic of the Week

Clic on USS Ronald Reagan Pic





TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: airforce; armedforces; army; catchingup; coastguard; freeperfoxhole; marines; michaeldobbs; militarynews; navy; samsdayoff; veterans
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To: bentfeather; Pippin
Good afternoon pippin and bentfeather.
21 posted on 05/12/2003 9:03:35 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our Troops)
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To: Valin
BOOM!

LOL. You could have really shortened this story for me. :)
22 posted on 05/12/2003 9:05:30 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our Troops)
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To: SAMWolf
Hi, Sam!
23 posted on 05/12/2003 9:08:58 AM PDT by Pippin ( God bless President Bush)
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To: Johnny Gage
Thanks Johnny for your Air Power profiles.
24 posted on 05/12/2003 9:09:52 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our Troops)
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To: Pippin
Good Morning Pippin.
25 posted on 05/12/2003 9:12:41 AM PDT by SAMWolf ((A)bort (R)etry (I)gnore?... Tried Ignore, still have the error.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Great post today snippy we love the info on what the troops are doing. The media seems to have forgotten that they are still over there.
26 posted on 05/12/2003 9:48:04 AM PDT by weldgophardline (Pacifism Creates Terrorism)
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To: radu; snippy_about_it; TEXOKIE; Bethbg79; LaDivaLoca; cherry_bomb88; beachn4fun; Do the Dew; ...
Current Military News
Reunited


Wesley Peppers, 5, holds a sign as he sits on the shoulders of his dad, Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Peppers, Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., as they wait for the plane carrying 'mom' and about 250 members of the 82nd Airborne Division returning from duty in Iraq. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan)


Capt. Shawn Stanley is reunited with his daughters, Kaylynn, 11-months, left, and Taliyah, 5, Friday, May 9, 2003, at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., after he and about 100 members of the 18th Airborne Corps returned from duty in Afghanistan.(AP Photo/Bob Jordan)


Capt. Scott Rooks, middle, is reunited with his son Austin, 6-months, left, and daughter Maelyn, 4, right, Friday, May 9, 2003, at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.


Capt. Kathleen Connors, right, holds a bouquet of roses as she is reunited with her husband, Capt. Chris Walls, left, Friday, May 9, 2003, at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.


27 posted on 05/12/2003 10:09:53 AM PDT by SAMWolf ((A)bort (R)etry (I)gnore?... Tried Ignore, still have the error.)
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To: All
Current Military News
National Guard


A Texas National Guard member inspected vehicles Thursday May 1, 2003 at the Bridge of Americas in El Paso, Texas. Since 1989 the U.S. Customs Service has worked with the Texas National Guard at Texas ports of entry under the 'Operation Guardian' program where they disassemble drug smuggling compartments, operated non-intrusive inspectional equipment and served as a force multiplier for the U.S. Customs Service. The program is scheduled to be phased out Sept. 31, 2004. (AP Photo/Bobbie Hernandez)


A group of rescue workers from Benton County, Ark., take a break after searching the National Guard Armory behind them for tornado victims in Pierce City, Mo., Monday, May 5, 2003. The building served as a designated tornado shelter by the town. The storm is blamed for at least 32 deaths in Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee, eight others are still missing in Pierce City. (AP Photo/John S. Stewart)


Female fighter pilots from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing that flew in combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom walk together down the flightline at an undisclosed forward deployed air base in the Middle East, May 3, 2003. L-R: 1st Lt. Julie 'Timber' Ayres, Capt. Mary 'Ginger' Melfi, and Capt. Tally 'Vixen' Parham. Ayres and Melfi, from the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron out of Seymour Johnson A.F.B., North Carolina, are weapons system officers on the F-15E Strike Eagle. Parham, from the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron out of McEntire, South Carolina, is a fighter pilot on the F-16CJ and is part of the S.C. Air National Guard. The 379th AEW is credited with flying 3,440 sorties and delivering over 1,500 tons of ordnance during the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Picture taken May 3, 2003. REUTERS/U.S. Air Force/Derrick C. Goode


Pfc. Brandon Williamson, of Barboursville, Ky., a member of the Kentucky Army National Guard, watches over the crowd attending the day of races at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 2, 2003, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren


Sergeant Kenny Roy, with the 935th National Guard unit, shows a little humor May 7, 2003 as he takes a break from helping store owners salvage what is left of their stock from damaged shops after a May 4 tornado that hit the small town of Pierce City, Missouri. Violent spring storms continue to plague the midwest and eastern states of the U.S. REUTERS/John Sommers II


Members of the Missouri National Guard salvage items from their armory at Pierce City, Mo., Wednesday, May 7, 2003, after it was destroyed by a tornado Sunday, May. 4. Members of the unit are taking personal leave to help the town clean up before their scheduled deployment to the Middle East May 10. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)


U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mitchell Merwin greets his mother Kathy Wagner at a reunion for members of the Wisconsin Air National Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing at Mitchell Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 9, 2003. Merwin arrived at Mitchell in one of two KC135R refueling planes deployed to the Middle East for the U.S.-led war against Iraq. REUTERS/Allen Fredrickson


U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Jeff Czarnecki walks off the tarmac at Mitchell Field with his children Jacob, 3, and Rita, 4, after returning with the Wisconsin Air National Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 9, 2003. Eight-year-old daughter Rebekah (L) runs along side. Czarnecki was onboard one of two returning KC135R refueling planes deployed to the Middle East for the U.S.-led war against Iraq. REUTERS/Allen Fredrickson


Master Sgt. Bob Saugling, center, is greeted by his twin-grand daughters Reland-Mary, left, and Delaney Saugling after returning with the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard to Willow Grove Naval Air Station near Horsham, Pa., Saturday, May 10, 2003. (AP Photo/Joseph Kaczmarek)


28 posted on 05/12/2003 10:22:01 AM PDT by SAMWolf ((A)bort (R)etry (I)gnore?... Tried Ignore, still have the error.)
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To: snippy_about_it

Today's classic warship, SMS Scharnhorst

Scharnhorst class armored cruiser
Displacement. 11,600 t.
Lenght. 449'9"
Beam. 71'
Draft. 25'
Speed. 22.5 kt.
Complement. 850
Armament. 8 8.2", 6 5.9", 20 3.4", 4 17.7" tt.

SMS Scharnhorst, a 11,616-ton armored cruiser built at Hamburg, Germany, was commissioned in October 1907. After her initial service, she generally was assigned abroad.

When the First World War broke out in August 1914, Scharnhorst was the flagship of the German East Asiatic Squadron. For nearly five months, she and her consorts in the squadron led by Vice Admiral Graf von Spee conducted a campaign in the Pacific ocean against Germany's enemies. This included a lopsided victory over a British cruiser force, under Rear Admiral Cradock, in the Battle of Coronel, off the west coast of South America on 1 November 1914. In just 40 minutes the British armored cruisers HMS Good Hope and HMS Monmouth were sent to the bottom, along with 1400 men, including Admiral Cradock.

Five weeks later, on 8 December 1914, von Spee's squadron encountered a greatly superior British force, including the battlecruisers HMS Invincible and HMS Inflexible, when it attempted to attack Port Stanley, in the Falkland Islands. In the running gunfire action that followed, SMS Scharnhorst was sunk with Admiral Graf von Spee and her entire crew.


Y'all may have noticed that for the past few weeks I have ocasionally ridiculed a french ship in "Today's classic warship". I originally intended to do the same with some german ships, however the german ships had a rather nasty habit of fighting to the end. It's kind of hard to ridicule a ship that goes down with guns blazing. Besides, german ships look good, unlike those ridiculous french ships.

29 posted on 05/12/2003 11:19:32 AM PDT by aomagrat (IYAOYAS)
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To: aomagrat
Thanks for finding time for us these days when you can with your new promotion...big shot. *grin*

You did a great job ridiculing the
French, we'll let you pass on the Germans. :)
30 posted on 05/12/2003 11:24:35 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our Troops)
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To: SAMWolf
Thanks for the homecoming pics. I hope the media continues taking the photos as our folks continue coming home!
31 posted on 05/12/2003 11:27:40 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our Troops)
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To: aomagrat
Thanks aomagrat.

The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau of WWII were pretty good looking Battle Cruisers, Germany has never really been a Military Sea power and they've always do best with their U-boats.
32 posted on 05/12/2003 11:44:15 AM PDT by SAMWolf ((A)bort (R)etry (I)gnore?... Tried Ignore, still have the error.)
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To: SAMWolf
Joy, joy, joy! Thanks so much SAM for the wonderful pictures.
33 posted on 05/12/2003 12:58:19 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: Johnny Gage
Foxbat Hunting

One of the sidelights to fighter operations in the Middle East during the 1970s and 80s centered around the repeated Israeli attempts to counter MiG-25 'Foxbat' operations - both the fighter and reconnaissance versions of this high-flying aircraft were operated within this time frame by the IDFAF's Arab opponents.

The first MiG-25 operations in the region were undertaken by a detachment of Soviet Air Force recce MiG-25R 'Foxbat-Bs', deployed to Egypt in October 1971 - their objective was to reconnoitre Israeli positions in the wake of the War of Attrition. Following a number of sorties along the Suez Canal, a MiG-25R made a provocative long-range overflight of Israel on 10 October which the IDFAF were unable to counter. However, when a Soviet 'Foxbat' attempted a repeat overflight on 6 November the Israelis were ready with a flight of stripped-down F-4Es, armed with Sparrows.

The MiG was attacked in a high-altitude snap attack - reportedly the F-4Es fired Sparrow missiles in a high-angle climb from 44,000 ft - head-on at the 'Foxbat', which was cruising at 76,000. What apparently let the attack down was that the proximity fuzz delay on the Sparrows (probably late AIM-7E models) could not cope with the Mach 3 speed of the 'Foxbat', and by the time they detonated, the MiG was out of their lethal radius.
Nevertheless, it was undoubtedly a sobering experience for the Soviet MiG-25 crews to see missiles tracking them at that height for the very first time.

Only two subsequent missions were flown (in March and May 1972), and these overflew the Sinai rather than Israel itself. It is believed that the photographs taken in these missions were later provided to the Egyptians, who found them invaluable in their planning for the 1973 War.

The Soviet 'Foxbats' were withdrawn in July 1972, only to return in the autumn of the following year after the cessation of the 1973 war. These aircraft would not penetrate Israeli airspace again, however, an as Egyptian relations with Moscow deteriorated, the detachment moved to Syria. There, both fighter and recce 'Foxbats' continued to fly regularly, and whilst originally a purely Soviet deployment, it eventually took on a Syrian component - the aircraft carried Syrian markings. Despite their 'arabification', the MiG-25s remained dependent on Soviet advisors and logistics support throughout - indeed, Syria's remaining ' Foxbat' are still reportedly maintained by Russian engineers today.

The Israelis were unable to counter the Syrian MiG-25 'Foxbat-A' fighters until the introduction of the F-15A into service. They then decided to 'defang' the Syrian 'Foxbat' threat once and for all by drawing them into a peacetime battle with F-15s. On 13 February 1981, two Israeli RF-4Es flew a high-altitude reconnaissance mission over the Lebanon to report on renewed Syrian offensive action. The Israelis though that this mission was likely to evoke a Syrian response, and sure enough two MiG-25s were scrambled and climbed after the RF-4s.
However, as they entered firing range on the rapidly fleeing Phantom IIs, they found that their targets had started to both dispense chaff and send out jamming signals from their ECM pods - a combination of the two had effectively obliterated the MiG-25s' radar picture.
Meanwhile, a pair of patrolling F-15As that had been vectored onto the Syrian fighters by either an E-2C or ground-based radar, popped out of the clouds undetected and fired AIM-7F Sparrow AAMs at the 'blind' 'Foxbats'.
One of the MiG-25s was destroyed, but the other escaped to retell the tale. Despite this loss, another MiG-25 attack was staged against RF-4Es over the Bekkaa Valley on 29 July 1981, and this again resulted in another 'Foxbat' falling victim to escorting F-15As.

Meanwhile, Syrian recce MiG-25s, which were capable of achieving faster speed and flying at higher altitudes than the fighter version, continued to overfly the Lebanon until 31 August 1983 when one was damaged by a modified Israeli HAWK SAM and forced down into the clutches of a waiting F-15A.

IAF Lockheed Martin F-16i with conformal fuel cells

From Photonics.com

Elbit to Supply F-16I Head-Up Displays El-Op Electro-optics Industries, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd., will supply Lockheed Martin with head-up displays for the Israeli air force's F-16I aircraft. The wide-field-of-view systems will employ advanced technologies based on the company's experience in the design and construction of more than 2000 displays for a variety of aircraft. Lockheed Martin's order is expected to exceed $7 million over four years.

Delivery of F-16I -July 2003

34 posted on 05/12/2003 1:03:31 PM PDT by Light Speed
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To: Light Speed
Thanks for the story on the FoxBats Light speed.
35 posted on 05/12/2003 1:06:18 PM PDT by SAMWolf ((A)bort (R)etry (I)gnore?... Tried Ignore, still have the error.)
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To: weldgophardline; Mon; AZ Flyboy; feinswinesuksass; Michael121; cherry_bomb88; SCDogPapa; Mystix; ...
FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

To be removed from this list, please send me a blank private reply with "REMOVE" in the subject line! Thanks! Jen

36 posted on 05/12/2003 1:59:40 PM PDT by Jen (The FReeper Foxhole - Can YOU dig it?)
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To: SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; Victoria Delsoul; SpookBrat; All
Hi everyone. Snippy, I hope to be back later to read your terrific thread. My new Dell computer arrived today and I have to set it up before I get back to the Foxhole. Tired of all the problems I've had with my current machine and monitor! Grrrrr! See y'all later, I hope.
37 posted on 05/12/2003 2:03:54 PM PDT by Jen (Dude! I got a Dell!)
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To: AntiJen
Good afternoon Jen.
38 posted on 05/12/2003 2:03:56 PM PDT by SAMWolf ((A)bort (R)etry (I)gnore?... Tried Ignore, still have the error.)
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To: AntiJen
I'm jealous.
39 posted on 05/12/2003 2:04:50 PM PDT by SAMWolf ((A)bort (R)etry (I)gnore?... Tried Ignore, still have the error.)
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To: AntiJen
Dudette, me too!!!
40 posted on 05/12/2003 2:07:33 PM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our Troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]


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