Tantor sends the following info on the Strike Eagle that crashed last night: A USAF F-15E Strike Eagle crashed last night at 11:30 PM local time about 25 miles from Benghazi, Libya “when the aircraft experienced equipment malfunction” while on a mission to suppress Libyan air defenses. Both pilot and weapon system officer (WSO) ejected safely with minor injuries. Both have been recovered. Both are probably bullshitting their buddies at the O Club bar right now and getting free drinks. Here are photos of the aircraft wreckage in a field outside Benghazi: Libyan residents discover wreckage of US plane http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fgw-libya-us-jet-crash-20110323,0,6432862.story The pilot was exfiltrated by a Marine MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor, part of the 26th MEU, out of the New River Air Station, North Carolina, probably flying from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group. The WSO landed in a sheep field where he was met by the locals in what must have been an initially anxious encounter. However, they all lined up to shake hands with him. Here is an account of his welcome. I just want to point out here that the front-seater got a ride home while the WSO had to walk, finding his own way. And, of course, he did it. Just saying. It sounds like the F-15E was either from the 492nd Fighter Squadron or 494th FS based at RAF Lakenheath, England, but staged out of Aviano Air Base in northeastern Italy for the mission. The F-15Es, along with F-16CJs, spent the last couple days beating up Kaddafi's ground forces outside Benghazi, stopping their advance on the rebels. The aircraft went down in flames but the Air Force says it was not shot down. That must be one freaking unlucky jet to catch fire by accident over the target area. I don't buy it. What are the odds? Fighter jets don't spontaneously combust as a rule. They usually need help to do that. "American Warplane Crashes in Libya as Ground Fighting Continues"; Elisabeth Bumiller, Kareem Fahim, & Alan Cowell; New York Times; March 22, 2011 Lagniappe: Photo of Lakenheath F-15E aircrew buckling up to fly the jet off to fight in Libya: http://www.airforce-magazine.com/DRArchive/Pages/2011/March%202011/March%2022%202011/pix032211libya.aspx
Read the complete post at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blackfive/~3/z3mtv0a5-DU/f-15e-strike-eagle-crash.html
Posted
Mar 22 2011, 02:20 AM
by
BLACKFIVE