F 16 crashes in libya

[mord]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110322/ap_on_re_eu/libya_us_jet   










– 5 mins ago

LONDON – The U.S. military says an Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle jet has crashed in Libya after an equipment malfunction. Both crew members ejected and are safe.

Vince Crawley, a spokesman for the Africa Command, says both sustained minor injuries.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LONDON (AP) — A U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle jet has crashed in Libya, the U.S. military said Tuesday. Both crew members ejected — one was safely recovered and the U.S. military was on a mission to recover the other one.

Vince Crawley, a spokesman for the Africa Command, says the crash could have been due to a mechanical failure.

"We do not believe it was shot down," Crawley said Tuesday.

It was not immediately known where or when the plane went down. Crawley said until the second crewman is recovered the U.S.'s Africa Command would not offer further details.

The crew members were separated because they ejected at high altitudes and ended up in different areas, Crawley said, adding that both had minor injuries.

He declined to say who was aiding in the recovery of the crewmember, noting that before each mission the military already has recovery plans in place.

"That operation is taking place as we speak," Crawley said.

The Air Force has said only that B-2, F-15 and F-16 fighters are participating in operations over Libya. The U.S.'s involvement in Libya is being run by Africa Command, which is based in Stuttgart, Germany.

Africa Command launched in Oct. 2008 after the Pentagon abandoned efforts to base the command on the continent after it hit resistance among the African nations, and instead posted about two dozen liaison officers at African embassies.

[syyuge]

It seems this operation was initiated in great hurry and without much coordination and necessary checks. This could have been the reason for mishap on this F-15.

[Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks]

... or it was shot down (because its pilot was not authorized to fire on SAM sites out of fear of hurting "Libyan civilians") and Obongo isn't going to come clean about it.

[t_h_j]

... or it was shot down (because its pilot was not authorized to fire on SAM sites out of fear of hurting "Libyan civilians") and Obongo isn't going to come clean about it.

except air defense equipment is a top priority target when enforcing a no fly zone.

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

except air defense equipment is a top priority target when enforcing a no fly zone.

SAMS are Surface-to-Air missiles.   They don't fly, so a no-fly zone would exempt such batteries, no?

[t_h_j]

SAMS are Surface-to-Air missiles.   They don't fly, so a no-fly zone would exempt such batteries, no?

no, enforcing a no fly zone includes making it safe for our planes to fly.  Look at the no fly zone over iraq in the 90s, SAM sites were attacked constantly.

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

no, enforcing a no fly zone includes making it safe for our planes to fly.  Look at the no fly zone over iraq in the 90s, SAM sites were attacked constantly.

Oh ok.