Gość: Ed
IP: *.unicity.pl / 192.168.115.*
27.07.03, 13:22
lub izraelskich pilotów nad syryjskimi:
On 14 September 2001, an IDF/AF Boeing 707, equipped for SIGINT-
reconnaissance, was on a mission along the Lebanese and Syrian coast,
collecting Syrian defense informations, monitoring foremost
telecommunications and radar tags in the Tarabulus (Tripolis) and Hamidiyali
areas. The plane was underway at 520 knots and 30.000ft, and escorted by two
F-15Cs, at least one of which carried the newest Python Mk.IV air-to-air
missiles.
The IDF/AF flew similar missions in the area at least twice a week since
quite some times, and – as usually – the SyAAF scrambled two interceptors to
shadow the “ferret”: the Syrians would always monitor the operations of
Israeli reconnaissance aircraft, sending either MiG-23s from Abu ad-Duhor AB,
or – less often – MiG-29s from Tsaykal, forward deployed at al-Ladhiqiyah,
would get the honor to fly such missions over the Mediterranean Sea. So far,
the Syrians have always taken care to stay at least some 20 kilometers away
from Israeli planes, and never showed any interest in attacking the Israelis.
But, on this day, at 0914hrs, the two MiG-29s sent to shadow the Boeing 707
suddenly turned towards the Israeli aircraft and increased their speed. For
the pilots of the two Israeli F-15s in escort this was not only surprising,
but also an obviously aggressive maneuver. Due to the short range, there was
no time to ask questions: the MiGs turned towards the Israeli planes in
aggressive manner, and could open fire any moment.
The leader of the F-15-pair ordered the Boeing to instantly distance from the
area and engage ECM systems, and then called his ground control for help and
reinforcements (as a result of this call, six more F-15s and six F-16s were
scrambled, along a single Boeing 707 tanker). Moment later, he warned the
Syrian MiG-29 pilots on the international distress frequency to change their
course. As the MiGs failed to response, the Eagles moved into attack.
One of the F-15s attacked the lead Syrian MiG-29 from above, closing directly
out of the rising sun, and launching a single Python Mk.IV from an off-
boresight angle of 40 degrees. The missile guided properly and hit the MiG
above the left wing, immediately setting it afire.
The other MiG-29 banked hard right, apparently heading back to Syria, but it
was too late, as the second F-15 was already too close: the pilot launched a
single AIM-9M Sidewinder from a range of only 500 meters. The missile slammed
into the target, crashing it into the sea.
Both Syrian pilots, Maj. Arshad Midhat Mubarak, and Capt. Ahmad al-Khatab,
ejected safely and were recovered by Syrian ships. The names of the involved
Israeli F-15-pilots remain unknown.
www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_53.shtml
