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Thursday, March 24, 2011
Marines rescue downed pilot after fighter jet crashes in Libya
3/22/2011 By Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps
ARLINGTON, Va.
Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit rescued a U.S. Air Force pilot downed in Libya March 22.
The F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in northeast Libya March 21 while flying in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the joint coalition enforcing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect the Libyan people from the country's ruler.
Using two AV/8B Harriers, two MV-22 Ospreys and two CH-53E Super Stallions carrying a quick reaction force, the Camp Lejeune, N.C., based Marines conducted a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission to recover the pilot.
The Marine aircraft began launching off the the USS Kearsarge, which was roughly 130 nautical miles from the pilot - within 30 minutes of the crash - according to a senior Marine officer in the Pentagon.
Marine officials attributed the quick reaction time to the versatility of the Osprey. "Total time from launch to return - 90 minutes roundtrip. That's what an Osprey gets you, that speed," the official said.
According to official reports, the Harrier close air support element dropped two laser-guided 500-pound bombs in the area in support of the downed pilot. One MV-22 Osprey landed and extracted the pilot.
Once extracted, the aircraft returned to the USS Kearsarge with the pilot. Navy Lt. Lauren A. Weber, a doctor with the 26th MEU, said the pilot returned in good condition.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation and the names of the pilots will be released pending next-of-kin notification.
The recovery force remains on standby while aviation assets are conducting operations in any environment. All seven Marine expeditionary units are trained, equipped and ready to conduct similar missions when called upon.
ARLINGTON, Va.
Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit rescued a U.S. Air Force pilot downed in Libya March 22.
The F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in northeast Libya March 21 while flying in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the joint coalition enforcing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect the Libyan people from the country's ruler.
Using two AV/8B Harriers, two MV-22 Ospreys and two CH-53E Super Stallions carrying a quick reaction force, the Camp Lejeune, N.C., based Marines conducted a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission to recover the pilot.
The Marine aircraft began launching off the the USS Kearsarge, which was roughly 130 nautical miles from the pilot - within 30 minutes of the crash - according to a senior Marine officer in the Pentagon.
Marine officials attributed the quick reaction time to the versatility of the Osprey. "Total time from launch to return - 90 minutes roundtrip. That's what an Osprey gets you, that speed," the official said.
According to official reports, the Harrier close air support element dropped two laser-guided 500-pound bombs in the area in support of the downed pilot. One MV-22 Osprey landed and extracted the pilot.
Once extracted, the aircraft returned to the USS Kearsarge with the pilot. Navy Lt. Lauren A. Weber, a doctor with the 26th MEU, said the pilot returned in good condition.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation and the names of the pilots will be released pending next-of-kin notification.
The recovery force remains on standby while aviation assets are conducting operations in any environment. All seven Marine expeditionary units are trained, equipped and ready to conduct similar missions when called upon.
Air National Guard supports coalition operations over Libya
By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Orrell
National Guard Bureau
ARLINGTON, Va. (3/22/11) - The National Guard is contributing to Operation Odyssey Dawn with 11 air refueling wings supporting the international coalition enforcement of a United Nations authorized no-fly zone, National Guard officials said here today.
Aircraft and crews from Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Utah are scheduled to conduct mid-air refueling missions for coalition forces who have been launching strikes against Libyan military sites and air defense systems to prevent further attacks against Libyan civilians.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, director of the Air National Guard, wasn't surprised that the Air Force turned to the Air Guard to provide refueling support to the coalition.
"The Air Guard has the experience and expertise to quickly mobilize, deploy and integrate with any joint or coalition effort anywhere in the world,"
Wyatt said. "The fact that we are able to rapidly bring in assets from several different wings is a testament to the flexibility and professionalism our Citizen Airmen provide our combatant commanders when called."
In a briefing with reporters Monday, Army Gen. Carter Ham, commander, U.S.
Africa Command, discussed ongoing operations in his area of operations so far.
"I assess that our actions to date are generally achieving the intended objectives. We have not observed Libyan military aircraft operating since the beginning of coalition military operations," Ham said.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said what is important to President Barack Obama in the ongoing military effort is, "a meaningful coalition, meaning other countries making serious military contributions so the United States isn't carrying the pre-eminent responsibility for an indefinite period of time.
"We will continue to support the coalition, be a member of the coalition, we will have a military role in the coalition but we will not have a preeminent role."
The Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing, the first air refueling wing in the Air National Guard, is one of the wings that stepped up to the call.
"The 126th Air Refueling Wing always stands ready to respond at a moment's notice," said Air Force Col. Peter Nezamis, 126 ARW commander. "We have very highly trained and highly motivated Airmen. I'm proud of their passion, professionalism and willingness to help our country and state."
Source
National Guard Bureau
ARLINGTON, Va. (3/22/11) - The National Guard is contributing to Operation Odyssey Dawn with 11 air refueling wings supporting the international coalition enforcement of a United Nations authorized no-fly zone, National Guard officials said here today.
Aircraft and crews from Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Utah are scheduled to conduct mid-air refueling missions for coalition forces who have been launching strikes against Libyan military sites and air defense systems to prevent further attacks against Libyan civilians.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, director of the Air National Guard, wasn't surprised that the Air Force turned to the Air Guard to provide refueling support to the coalition.
"The Air Guard has the experience and expertise to quickly mobilize, deploy and integrate with any joint or coalition effort anywhere in the world,"
Wyatt said. "The fact that we are able to rapidly bring in assets from several different wings is a testament to the flexibility and professionalism our Citizen Airmen provide our combatant commanders when called."
In a briefing with reporters Monday, Army Gen. Carter Ham, commander, U.S.
Africa Command, discussed ongoing operations in his area of operations so far.
"I assess that our actions to date are generally achieving the intended objectives. We have not observed Libyan military aircraft operating since the beginning of coalition military operations," Ham said.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said what is important to President Barack Obama in the ongoing military effort is, "a meaningful coalition, meaning other countries making serious military contributions so the United States isn't carrying the pre-eminent responsibility for an indefinite period of time.
"We will continue to support the coalition, be a member of the coalition, we will have a military role in the coalition but we will not have a preeminent role."
The Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing, the first air refueling wing in the Air National Guard, is one of the wings that stepped up to the call.
"The 126th Air Refueling Wing always stands ready to respond at a moment's notice," said Air Force Col. Peter Nezamis, 126 ARW commander. "We have very highly trained and highly motivated Airmen. I'm proud of their passion, professionalism and willingness to help our country and state."
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