Air ops over Libya

[tom d. friedman]

the lawn dart is a mig 23. the aussies were the last to retire the type recently. it's nice to see the french take the 1st step from what i've seen of current news reports.

[Robbie Roberts]

I admit I don't know my Rooski airplanes very well..but it looks like a MiG-23 too me. Doesn't look like the poor pilot punched in time though.

SN

MUCH better quality/size pic- I was looking at the 1"x2" teaser blurb on Yahoo, and couldn't get as good a view. If you see it in that small format, it looks like a 111!

Scott

[Old SAR pilot]

On the F-111, the whole cockpit module ejects. The pilots don't have individual 'chutes.

[JDK]

Does anyone have any inside scoop or observations on what's going on in the air over Libya?

Some qualified, prompt, relatively local aviation insight here Michael. http://cencio4.wordpress.com/

[Ken]

IIRC, the only nations who operated the F-111 were the US and Australia ... so finding one over Libya (after 1986 ) would be near impossible.

[jaldo]

Video on Youtube of the downed MiG-23:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj1uaPWO ... ntrinter=1

[lmritger]

Hadn't seen that angle yet... I knew it was a 23, but couldn't tell if the pilot punched out or not. Wonder if he tried to get it to a less-populated area, thus explaining why he punched out so late? Any word on whether he survived?

Also, I've heard B-52s are back in the thick of it, FIFTY-NINE YEARS after their first flight... which is utterly jaw-dropping. For kripes' sake, these things entered service while B-17s were still serving with the USN and USCG!!!!

Hope all Allied forces remain safe and that the rebels are able to make this revolution work.

Lynn

[mustanglover]

Fox news reports that the rebel pilot did not survive the ejection.

[tom d. friedman]

tonight's world news stated that air superiority has already been established & the coalition is now concentrating on armor & artillery. the u.n. is trying to coax some of the friendlier mideast nations to throw their turbins in the ring to help.

[Randy Haskin]

Bunch of good photos of USAFE people and aircraft here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/usairforce/5543042559/

Looks like I picked a bad time to be back in the training command...but "good hunting" and "check six" to all my Lakenheath bros!