<

Coalition Plane Shot Down Near Baghdad

Tuesday, April 8, 2003
(9:41 ET AM)
The Associated Press

"We have said all along that the surface-to-air threat was a valid threat and it illustrates the point that there is a lot of hard work to do," Ensign David Luckett said.

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar -- AP
A coalition A-10 "Warthog" warplane was shot down near Baghdad early Tuesday in what was believed to be the first downing of a coalition aircraft by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile.

The pilot ejected safely and was recovered by coalition ground forces near the airport, U.S. Central Command said. The pilot was reported to be in good condition.

Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks, deputy operations director at Central Command, said military officials "believe it was hit by surface-to-air missile fire."

Another Central Command official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the plane appeared to have been shot down by Iraqi forces.

"Everything right now indicates it was hostile. There is no evidence to support it was not hostile," the official said.
(More: Netscape Network News)
2003 © The Associated Press

Dan