Free Republic 3rd Qtr 2025 Fundraising Target: $81,000 Receipts & Pledges to-date: $170
0%  
Woo hoo!! 3rd Qtr 2025 FReepathon is now underway!!

Keyword: cobraball

Brevity: Headers | « Text »
  • Cobra Ball II's Last Flight

    03/15/2008 7:18:33 PM PDT · by struwwelpeter · 17 replies · 3,205+ views
    Various | Various | Various
    Aircraft number 61-2664 was built in 1961 at Boeing's sprawling Seattle works in Washington state. A variant of the commerical 707 airliner, the aircraft was first fitted out to perform the tasks of weather reconnaissance for Military Airlift Command. She performed these tasks for almost a decade. In 1972, WC-135 number 61-2664 was refitted to serve as a strategic reconnaissance platform. Dozens of other C-135s had been converted to comically long-nosed RC-135s over the decades, but 61-2664 was to join a specially small fraternity: Cobra Ball. Two RC-135 S-models were produced, both stationed at Eielson AFB, Alaska. Their highly...
  • North Korean Fliers Said to Have Sought Hostages

    03/07/2003 7:52:32 PM PST · by Pokey78 · 100 replies · 586+ views
    The New York Times ^ | 03/08/03 | ERIC SCHMITT
    WASHINGTON, March 7 — The North Korean fighter jets that intercepted an unarmed American spy plane over the Sea of Japan last weekend were trying to force the aircraft to land in North Korea and take its crew hostage, a senior defense official said today. One of the four North Korean MIG's came within 50 feet of the American plane, an Air Force RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft, and the pilot made internationally recognized hand signals to the American flight crew to follow him, presumably back to his home base, the official said. The American crew members ignored the gesture commands,...
  • The Case of KAL 007

    12/05/2003 11:43:40 AM PST · by struwwelpeter · 72 replies · 4,171+ views
    Various ^ | Various
    At 3:30 in the morning of August 31st, 1983, Korean Airlines flight 007 landed at Merrill Field in Anchorage, Alaska. An hour and a half later it took off from Runway 32 bound for Seoul's Kimpo airport. Aboard were 240 passengers, a cabin crew of 20, a three-man flight crew and six other KAL crew members deadheading back to Seoul. Shortly after take-off, Flight 007 was cleared directly to the Bethel VOR beacon and then on to the Romeo 20 route. However, the aircraft started diverging from its intended course and passed 12 NM North of the Bethel beacon....
  • Risky Business:U.S. plans protection for intelligence-gathering aircraft after threat by N. Korea

    03/10/2003 11:04:38 AM PST · by Stand Watch Listen · 8 replies · 199+ views
    Aviation Week & Space Technology | March 10, 2003 | David A. Fulghum
    At least some U.S. officials want to play hardball over the North Korean interception of a RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft that was flying about 150 mi. offshore observing preparation for upcoming missile tests. North Korea fired off two Rodong ballistic missiles, with the range to hit Japan, in February, and more tests are expected. "The North Koreans have been told that intelligence-gathering aircraft will continue flying, and they will be escorted by F-15s and F-16s," a senior Air Force official said. "They've also been told that if their fighters lock on again [the electronic prelude to firing a missile] our...