U.S. F-14s shoot down attacking Libyan jets

VF-41 Black Aces F-14As shoot down two Libyan Su-22 Fitter-Js

AUG. 19, 1981

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two U.S. F-14 jet fighters shot down a pair of Soviet-built Libyan SU-22 fighter planes over the Mediterranean Sea early today after an "unprovoked attack" by the Libyans, the Defense Department said.



One of the Americans in the two-man F-14 was hurt in the one-minute clash about 60 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, officials said. One Libyan pilot was seen parachuting from his striken plane.

Meanwhile, Libya claimed it shot down a U.S. F-14 Navy plane today "as it entered Libyan space," Libya's state radio reported. In Washington, the U.S. government denied the report.

Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger told a press conference the attack was clearly over international waters and was unanticipated. Libya, however, considers that its territorial rights extend 200 miles to sea.

Weinberger said the United States planned no retaliation as a result of the attack, but that the Naval force to which the planes are assigned would finish its planned exercise this afternoon on schedule.

The Pentagon announced the 1:20 a.m. EDT incident before dawn and Weinberger appeared at a hastily called news conference later to read an official statement which said:

"Two U.S. Navy F-14 aircraft involved in a previously announced routine exercise in international airspace over international waters in the south central Mediterranean were attacked by Libyan SU-22 fighter aircraft.

After being fired upon the F-14s from the aircraft carrier Nimitz took action in response and shot down both aircraft.

The U.S. government is protesting through diplomatic channels this unprovoked attack that occured in international airspace, over 60 miles from the nearest land."

The United States and Libya do not have diplomatic relations, Weinberger said the protest was channeled to the Libyan government through the Belgian government.

"One of the Americans in the two-man F-14 was hurt in the one-minute clash about 60 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, officials said. One Libyan pilot was seen parachuting from his striken plane."

How'd the guy get hurt? Anyone have info on this? Interesting.

Quoted: U.S. F-14s shoot down attacking Libyan jets VF-41 Black Aces F-14As shoot down two Libyan Su-22 Fitter-Js AUG. 19, 1981 WASHINGTON (AP) - Two U.S. F-14 jet fighters shot down a pair of Soviet-built Libyan SU-22 fighter planes over the Mediterranean Sea early today after an "unprovoked attack" by the Libyans, the Defense Department said. www.mvonline.com/focus/then_now_outside/images/outside-11.jpg One of the Americans in the two-man F-14 was hurt in the one-minute clash about 60 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, officials said. One Libyan pilot was seen parachuting from his striken plane. Meanwhile, Libya claimed it shot down a U.S. F-14 Navy plane today "as it entered Libyan space," Libya's state radio reported. In Washington, the U.S. government denied the report. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger told a press conference the attack was clearly over international waters and was unanticipated. Libya, however, considers that its territorial rights extend 200 miles to sea. Weinberger said the United States planned no retaliation as a result of the attack, but that the Naval force to which the planes are assigned would finish its planned exercise this afternoon on schedule. The Pentagon announced the 1:20 a.m. EDT incident before dawn and Weinberger appeared at a hastily called news conference later to read an official statement which said: "Two U.S. Navy F-14 aircraft involved in a previously announced routine exercise in international airspace over international waters in the south central Mediterranean were attacked by Libyan SU-22 fighter aircraft. After being fired upon the F-14s from the aircraft carrier Nimitz took action in response and shot down both aircraft. The U.S. government is protesting through diplomatic channels this unprovoked attack that occured in international airspace, over 60 miles from the nearest land." The United States and Libya do not have diplomatic relations, Weinberger said the protest was channeled to the Libyan government through the Belgian government.

I knew dialup was slow, but this is ridiculous.

Quoted: Quoted: U.S. F-14s shoot down attacking Libyan jets VF-41 Black Aces F-14As shoot down two Libyan Su-22 Fitter-Js AUG. 19, 1981 WASHINGTON (AP) - Two U.S. F-14 jet fighters shot down a pair of Soviet-built Libyan SU-22 fighter planes over the Mediterranean Sea early today after an "unprovoked attack" by the Libyans, the Defense Department said. www.mvonline.com/focus/then_now_outside/images/outside-11.jpg One of the Americans in the two-man F-14 was hurt in the one-minute clash about 60 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, officials said. One Libyan pilot was seen parachuting from his striken plane. Meanwhile, Libya claimed it shot down a U.S. F-14 Navy plane today "as it entered Libyan space," Libya's state radio reported. In Washington, the U.S. government denied the report. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger told a press conference the attack was clearly over international waters and was unanticipated. Libya, however, considers that its territorial rights extend 200 miles to sea. Weinberger said the United States planned no retaliation as a result of the attack, but that the Naval force to which the planes are assigned would finish its planned exercise this afternoon on schedule. The Pentagon announced the 1:20 a.m. EDT incident before dawn and Weinberger appeared at a hastily called news conference later to read an official statement which said: "Two U.S. Navy F-14 aircraft involved in a previously announced routine exercise in international airspace over international waters in the south central Mediterranean were attacked by Libyan SU-22 fighter aircraft. After being fired upon the F-14s from the aircraft carrier Nimitz took action in response and shot down both aircraft. The U.S. government is protesting through diplomatic channels this unprovoked attack that occured in international airspace, over 60 miles from the nearest land." The United States and Libya do not have diplomatic relations, Weinberger said the protest was channeled to the Libyan government through the Belgian government. I knew dialup was slow, but this is ridiculous.

www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/su-17.htm

IMHO the SU-17/20/22 are strike vers of the MIG-21

Damn, I thought we got some more.

Kharn

Quoted: This just in, Lee surrenders!

Quoted: This just in, Lee surrenders!

And Generalissimo Francisco Franco is STILL dead.

Not to be a downer, but one of the US pilots in this engagement, or the other the following year(?) was killed several years later during a training flight.

It's funny, but I can remember this like it was yesterday.  I remember that the media played the ATC/cockpit/command recordings.  You could hear the pilot and wingman talking, assessing the threat, relaying how the Libyans were flying at them.  He used the word "jink", like "he jinked back into me."   I can hear in my mind the pilot yelling "SHOOT HIM, SHOOT HIM!" and the WSO yelling "I don't have a lock" or something like that.  It was chilling and awesome.

In, oh, 1991 or 1992, I can't remember, I bought Falcon 3.0 (and a 387 math co-processor to run it with!).  My favorite part of the game?  The opening sequence, which had the audio of the F14s splashing the MiG 23s.

207R- "Gypsy 207 contact at 175, 72 miles, looks like a flight of two, Angels 10."
CLOSE- "Closeout concurs, showing 78 miles."
204R- "Throttle back just a little bit here."
CLOSE- "Closeout shows 25 mile seperation for an inbound"
207R- "Contacts appear to be heading, ah, 315 now, speed 430, Angels approximately 8,000."
CLOSE- "Roger Ace, take it north."
204P- "Looks like we'll have to make a quick loop here."
204R- "Come starboard, ah I need to give ya collision here. Yeah, come starboard about 40."
207R- "207 ah, 61 miles now, bearing 180, Angels 8, heading 330." 204R- "Steady up."
CLOSE- "Alpha Bravo this is Closeout."
204R- "Come back port, ah, 20 degrees here, he's jinkin' now."
207R- "Bogies appear to be coming, ah, jinking to the right now, heading north, speed 430, ah, angels 5,000 now in the descent. So lets take her down now, we're goin' down."
CLOSE- "Concur."
207R- "Closeout, 53 miles now. Bogies appear to be heading directly at us. I'm coming towards. Steady up 150 for 33 offset, 50 miles. 49 miles now, speed 450, Angels 9, I'm goin' down to 3."
204P- "(unintelligible, from 204P, formation flying?)"
207P- "Roger."
207R- "Roger that, 30 degree offset now. Bogies heading 340, speed 500, lets accelerate."
207P- "Okay, it looks like they are at 9,000 feet now."
207R- "Roger, bogies are jinked back into us now, now lets come starboard 30 degrees the other side."
204P- "Coming starboard, say your Angels."
- "(unintelligible) patrol setting up station."
207R- "Roger, Angels now 11, ready up."
AB- "Closeout ah, Warning yellow, weapons hold, I repeat, warning yellow, weapons hold. Alpha Bravo out."
CLOSE- "Roger, Gypsies, pass up, Alpha Bravo directs warning yellow, weapons hold."
207P- "35 miles here."
207R- "Roger that. Bogies have jinked back into me now for the third time. Nose is on at 35 miles, Angels 7"
CLOSE- "Alpha Bravo cleared that, did you copy?"
207R- "Okay, I am taking another offest, starboard, starboard, ah, 210."
CLOSE- "Guys, I'm locked up here 30 miles, Angels 13,000, he's the trailer"
207R- "Roger that, level off here, bogie jinked back into me for the 4th time. I'm coming back starboard. I'm back port now. Port 27 miles, bogie is at 7,000 feet."
207P- "We're at 5."
AB- "Watch out, bogies 135-50, Angels 16, heading 340."
207P- "Okay."
CLOSE- "Roger, same bogies."
207P- "Okay, you're in collision now, steering."
207R- "Okay, bogies have jinked back at me again for the fifth time. They're on my nose now. Inside of 20 miles"
- {Master arm alert}
207R- "Master arm on, master arm on"
CLOSE- "Okay, good light"
207P- "Good Light"
207R- "Okay, centering up the T, bogie has jinked back into me again, 16 miles, at the center of the dot."
CLOSE- "Say your Angels."
207R- "I'm at Angels 5, nose up."
CLOSE- "No, his Angels."
207P- "No, wait a minute."
207R- "Angels are at 9!"
207P- "Alpha Bravo from 207."
207R- "13 miles. Fox 1! Fox 1!"
207P- "Ah jesus!"
204P- "Breaking right."
207R- "Roger that, 10 miles, he's back on my nose. Fox 1 again!"
207P- "Watching 'em up."
207R- "6 miles, 6 miles."
204R- "Tally 2, Tally 2! Turning into me."
207R- "Roger that, 5 miles. . . 4 miles."
207P- "Okay, he's got a missile off."
204R- "Breakin' right."
207P- "Good hit, good hit on one!"
207R- "Roger that, good kill, good kill!"
204P- "I've got the other one."
204R- "Select fox 2, select fox 2!!"
204P- "I got fox 2."
CLOSE- "Keep your eye for the trailer."
207R- "Comin' hard starboard."
204P- "Those fuckin'!"
204R- "Shoot him!"
204P- "I don't got tone."
207R- "That's the second one."
204P- "I've got the second one on my nose right now."
207R- "Okay, I am high cover on you."
204P- "Get a fox, get a, lock him up! Lock him up."
204R- "There! Shoot him, fox 2!"
204P- "I can't! I don't have a fucking tone!"
204P- "Tone's up!"
{Fox 2--AIM-9 Sidewider launch}
204R- "Fox 2."
204P- "Good kill! Good kill!"
207R- "Okay, good kill."
207R- "Pilot ejected."
CLOSE- "The pilot's ejected out of the second one."
204R- "Okay Munster, lets head north, head north."
207R- "Okay. Port side high, comin' down hard."
204R- "Roger."
207R- "Roger that. Just revert. Blowin' north, let's go down low on the decks, unload, 500 knots, lets get out of here."
204P- "Okay, two good chutes."
CLOSE- "They're showin' two good chutes in the air here, from Munster."
207R- "Roger that, I see the, ah--."
207P- "I've got the splash, one splash."
207R- "One splash."
204R- "Take that down to, ah, 3,000 here Munster."
CLOSE- "The, ah, splash 160 at 96."
204R- "Lets go, Munster down to 3,000 and lets get outta here."

Quoted: This just in, Lee surrenders!

LMAO!!!

The British are coming!!! The British are coming!!!

CW

Lincoln shot at Theater!!!!!


So, any thing more recent......



Columbus sets saild to find Western passeage to India

 

I was going thru some stuff last week, and found a copy of the gun camera video from that shoot down. Too bad it is on a Beta tape.

I have the audio recording of the 1989 shootdown of the Libyan MiG-23'S. I have yet to hear the recordings of the earlier fight but would love to if it exists. Pretty intense stuff.

My new computer just came in the mail, it has 8086 processor and 128K of memory and dual 5-1/2 drives, and a hi-resolution monochrome monitor. This baby is gonna fly and for only $3,500
Are we in a early 80's timewarp or something, just a little confused.

EXCLUSIVE: ROME FALLS!

I actually feel sorrow for ANYONE that has to face down an armed Tomcat. Probably not a fun thing at all.

Noah builds Arc!!!

Hey folks, have you heard about this new way of prepairing food! It's called "Fire."  I heard it even comes in backpacks.

Quoted: Quoted: This just in, Lee surrenders! And Generalissimo Francisco Franco is STILL dead.

Beat me to it!

I remember when news of this Libya thing came across the radio, my Dad and I were driving to northern Michigan to do some fishing.

I was about 12 years old.

We laughed about it. "HAHAHAH, what were those idiot ragheads thinking going up against our Air Force??" I can almost still hear his indignation.

Dad's gone now, but thinking about this international incident always reminds me of that day. Nice and sunny, driving to upstate Michigan with the radio blaring and the windows open, the anticipation of good fishing on our minds...and how life was so much simpler as a youngster. That, and how much I've become like my Dad.

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon...

The cubs just won the world series!

Quoted: "One of the Americans in the two-man F-14 was hurt in the one-minute clash about 60 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, officials said. One Libyan pilot was seen parachuting from his striken plane." How'd the guy get hurt? Anyone have info on this? Interesting.

Kneeboard probably came off and smacked him in the eye.

This Just IN: Massive Singularity explodes in Cataclismic 'Big Bang"

Albert Gore invents Internet!

Quoted: This Just IN: Massive Singularity explodes in Cataclismic 'Big Bang"

somebody try and trump that!

So this is where that occasional radio chatter in Falcon 4 bgm came from...

Quoted: Quoted: This Just IN: Massive Singularity explodes in Cataclismic 'Big Bang" somebody try and trump that!

God Creates Universe

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"

Quoted: U.S. F-14s shoot down attacking Libyan jets VF-41 Black Aces F-14As shoot down two Libyan Su-22 Fitter-Js AUG. 19, 1981 WASHINGTON (AP) - Two U.S. F-14 jet fighters shot down a pair of Soviet-built Libyan SU-22 fighter planes over the Mediterranean Sea early today after an "unprovoked attack" by the Libyans, the Defense Department said. www.mvonline.com/focus/then_now_outside/images/outside-11.jpg One of the Americans in the two-man F-14 was hurt in the one-minute clash about 60 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, officials said. One Libyan pilot was seen parachuting from his striken plane. Meanwhile, Libya claimed it shot down a U.S. F-14 Navy plane today "as it entered Libyan space," Libya's state radio reported. In Washington, the U.S. government denied the report. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger told a press conference the attack was clearly over international waters and was unanticipated. Libya, however, considers that its territorial rights extend 200 miles to sea. Weinberger said the United States planned no retaliation as a result of the attack, but that the Naval force to which the planes are assigned would finish its planned exercise this afternoon on schedule. The Pentagon announced the 1:20 a.m. EDT incident before dawn and Weinberger appeared at a hastily called news conference later to read an official statement which said: "Two U.S. Navy F-14 aircraft involved in a previously announced routine exercise in international airspace over international waters in the south central Mediterranean were attacked by Libyan SU-22 fighter aircraft. After being fired upon the F-14s from the aircraft carrier Nimitz took action in response and shot down both aircraft. The U.S. government is protesting through diplomatic channels this unprovoked attack that occured in international airspace, over 60 miles from the nearest land." The United States and Libya do not have diplomatic relations, Weinberger said the protest was channeled to the Libyan government through the Belgian government.

Ah, beautiful memories.

You guys forgot this one:

so this happened twice?  2nd time in 89?  i remember that one.  i was only 3 in 1981.

just in, the Earth is round!

What is this? History day?

Just announced! Big Bang creates the universe…… first photo

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: This Just IN: Massive Singularity explodes in Cataclismic 'Big Bang" somebody try and trump that! God Creates Universe

OWNED!

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: This Just IN: Massive Singularity explodes in Cataclismic 'Big Bang" somebody try and trump that! God Creates Universe OWNED!

The Alpha and Omega... without beginning or end.  HA!

Massive Flood Covers Earth; God Suspected

Women, children and minorities hardest hit

and God said, "Let there be light"

BREAKING: BIG FUCKING ROCK KILLS DINOSAURS

Quoted: Quoted: This just in, Lee surrenders!

yeah that is a good one

Quoted: and God said, "Let there be light"

Damn, I type ONE sentence and five people still beat me to the joke!

Hell, I get a paper every few months called "Old News".  It's run by a retired gentleman, he and his write up various historical happenings, with headlines like "Mongol Hordes Invade!" or "Roosevelt Dies!"  good stuff!