Posted on 12/09/2004 8:51:36 AM PST by areafiftyone
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) 12.9.04, 8:10a -- Senator Dianne Feinstein is describing a harrowing experience during her visit to Iraq last week.
Feinstein told KCBS radio during take-off from Baghdad, the C-130 military transport plane she was a passenger on was forced to take evasive action because of a what may have been a missile attack.
The senator told the station that shortly after take-off, she could see light flashing through portholes on the side.
The pilot then began taking what Feinstein described as -- "extraordinary evasive action."
Feinstein says once the plane landed the pilot explained to her that there was no way to determine if the plane really came under a missile attack because once the warning system goes off, he automatically takes evasive action.
Feinstein says passengers on board were shaken up a bit, but she was not concerned after the first few moments.
Just another example of how we can't even control the airspace around Jessica Lynch International, for cripes sake. We should PULL OUT NOW! (and fire Boooosh, who I blame)
Sheeeeeeeit......the Corkscrew is SOP going in and out of BIAP. If she was in a 130 there is almost no way she'd have seen any light anywhere that could have been interpreted as a missile flash.
So this happens to her and it is big news.
This happens to us all too often and it is just another day at work. What a wuss.
As opposed to "ordinary evasive action"?
I know two things:
One: The pilot flying that plane is a better man/person than Feinstein will ever be.
Two: She may have soiled her didies when this happened (if it happened), but he risks his life doing it every day--to make the world safer for all of us. I wonder if she appreciates that.
5..... 4..... 3..... 2...... 1......
I question the timing of this.
See # 22.
I think the pilots were messing with her. Wanted to see if she would pee her pants. I would have.
JH
We used to do this all the time in helicopters.
Oops, another air pocket and/or clear air turbulence.
She would have had a smoother ride if she sat in the middle of the plane.
Chill out, Di. It's just not that unusual here. I've done the C-130 thing out of Baghdad and back in and never bothered to look out of the portholes.
I've been on Chinooks and Black Hawks flying across Baghdad (and will do that again very shortly) and have seen the light flashes and our miliary shooters' reactions. (Guess what? More light flashes...just closer up.)
It's a war zone, Di. It happens. Quite a bit. If you can't handle it, don't come here.
I'm glad to hear that Senator Frankenstein is safe and sound.
Joe Isuzu
{snicker!} She's probably just describing the standard "combat takeoff." The corkscrew ascension. It's a wild ride. The landing's even cooler.
Heheheheh...
Wingovers back 2 U....
I question the claim that "she could see light flashing thorough portholes" on a C-130 shortly after takeoff. If I'm not mistaken, the maneuver during takeoffs in a combat area is called "Combat Extraction" which is standard procedure. The pilots take the aircraft into a 90 degree straight up climb and a very steep spiral ascent.
Kerry would have gotten a Purple Heart.
I would have, too, but only had one other guy with me (AH-64). And he was bigger than me; would have kicked my butt.
P3
Funny!!
Now we all know the answer to that!!
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.