US F-16 goes down in Iraq

[elef]

Al Jazeera

Today

Link

 

A US F-16 fighter aircraft has gone down near the city of Fallujah in western Iraq.

 

The US airforce said the plane's pilot was missing and an investigation into the cause of the incident had been launched.

 

However, and Iraqi journalist said local residents had reported seeing the F-16 being shot down.

 

 

 

 

Muthana Shakir, an Iraqi journalist in Baghdad told Al Jazeera: "We got credible news saying at 2pm on Monday a US F-16 warplane was downed in al-Garma neighbourhood near the western Iraqi city of Falluja."

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The warplane was downed over arable lands. Witnesses confirmed that the plane was fired on by gunmen's rockets when it was flying on low altitude."

 

William Caldwell, a US military spokesman, said he would be surprised if the jet was shot down as the F-16's fly very fast and have not encountered any weapons capable of taking them down in Iraq.

 

A spokesman said that the aircraft was lost while it was flying in support of ground operations taking place in Fallujah.

 

US troops are reported to have surrounded the crash-site.

 

[elef]

If the iraqis now have missiles capable of hitting a F16 it will change the situation completely, actually endangering the american presence in Iraq.

[Neo]

It won't change squat. Why do you need F16's flying over Iraq other than a feeble attempt to justify bloating the military budget for worthless tactics? Sounds like Vietnam all over again where your mission is to go after someone riding a bicycle with a plane flying at mach 2.

 

The whole thing is falling apart anyway it seems. Iraq doesn't want a democracy any more than Thailand who just tossed that dumb idea out, apparently for good. Maybe Thailand shunting democracy will begin to educate Americans that their system isn't right in other places and they thus shouldn't feel obligated to shove it down other peoples throats. Wishfull thinking anyway.

 

[elef]

it was flying in support of ground operations

 

Without air support the ground operations will be more risky and require more troops IMO. It will be interesting to see Flashermacs comment on this.

[Fidel]

IMHO the US is mainting a sufficient number of troops to preside over a civil war which they know will result in the break-up of the country.

 

In fact I wouldn't be surprised if they are actively supporting the sectarian violence.

 

If you recall the incident in Basra involving British SAS men disguised as locals, wearing wigs and Iraqi civilian clothing, driving a civilian vehicle, gunning down a couple of Iraqi cops at a check point.

 

When they were arrested it was discovered that their vehicle was full of explosives and bomb making equipment.

 

Then a dozen or so Brit tanks crashed through the walls of the police station, freeing their boys along with dozens of Iragi criminals.

 

This and other incidents smack of Black Ops.

 

Divide and rule. An age old Imperial tactic.

[Flashermac]

Supersonic jets are worth squat for close ground support. They are just too fast. Our best support in Vietnam was from propellor driven Skyraiders and from helicopters.

 

Jets can take out a fixed objective all right, but don't send them anywhere near your own people. I also doubt that this one was shot down. Ever tried shooting a moving fly with a rifle?

 

 

[Nervous_Dog]

Then how did it get shot down, surely not by bullets?

 

[limbo]

Technical failure?

[pasathai1]

Then how did it get shot down, surely not by bullets?

 

 

easy, lead ( fire ahead) of the target and let it fly into the slugs

[elef]

The Air Force F-16CG fighter jet crashed Monday outside of Baghdad while flying on a low-level "strafing run" -- firing on targets on the ground at a low altitude -- a U.S. military official in Baghdad said.

 

CNN