Iran

[Jarhead0331]

Apparently, a Kuwaiti FA-18 shot down the 3 F-15Es using AIM9s.  That explains why there weren't any fatalities. 

This had to be a crime. I find it very unlikely that this was an accident.

[Tripoli]

This had to be a crime. I find it very unlikely that this was an accident.

[/quote]

I likewise have trouble believing it wasn't deliberate, ie, a case of "sudden jihadi syndrome", or something similar.  With that said, I was present when the F-14 shot down the RF-4 in 1987, and that wasn't done in the middle of a mass drone attack.  People can be incredibly stupid.  The confusion of it occuring in the middle of a drone attack might explain the otherwise inexplicable.

[Jarhead0331]

In a Hornet at close range? One shot, ok. Two shots, maybe...if you're entirely incompetent. Three shots? I say impossible. There is no way a pilot at that range could confuse a Strike Eagle with a drone. It's just too big to not have had a clear tallyho.

[Tripoli]

[Deleted as duplicate]
 

[Tripoli]

In a Hornet at close range? One shot, ok. Two shots, maybe...if you're entirely incompetent. Three shots? I say impossible. There is no way a pilot at that range could confuse a Strike Eagle with a drone. It's just too big to not have had a clear tallyho.

I agree, it looks really bad.  Especially with their being 3 targets downed.  The Kuwaiti F-18 pilot has some 'plaining to do.  With that said, I'm keeping a semi-open mind about this (I personally think that the sudden jihadi scenario better fits Occam's razor). But to play the Devil's Advocate:  I suspect the Kuwaiti pilot was not particularly competent. Forty years ago, stories of "poor headwork" among some of the Middle Eastern students in the  jet pipeline were common. If that is still the case, then the situation could be explained by a sub-par pilot combined with confusing combat situation and/or bad commands from the ground controller.
 

[Tripoli]

For those interested in why the USN sank the Iranian Frigate yesterday, below is a link to a map of the shipping lanes in that hemisphere:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/07/07/business/economy/iran-strait-of-hormuz-tankers.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email  (H/T CDR Salamander, who is very much worth reading)

The frigate was sunk 40 nm off the coast of Sri Lanka.  While only 1500 tons, it was armed for 4 C802 SSMs and a 76mm gun, so it was a threat to the SLOCs in the IO.

[Redwolf]

Apparently, a Kuwaiti FA-18 shot down the 3 F-15Es using AIM9s.  That explains why there weren't any fatalities. 

I wonder whether they will paint kill marks F-15s on that Hornet...

[Tripoli]

Apparently, an Iranian supply ship (likely supplying the recently sunk frigate) has turned itself over to Sri Lankan authorties for internment.  Good choice by the Captain of the vessel, as he probably saved both his ship and the lives of his crew:
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2026/03/05/iranian-warship-surrenders-to-sri-lankans-first-time-ship-interned-by-neutral-nation-since-second-world-war/

[al_infierno]

So, it's probably not good that we're firing a bunch of generals, right?   

[Jarhead0331]

So, it's probably not good that we're firing a bunch of generals, right?   

Relax.

[Jarhead0331]

Definitely still a dangerous environment.

[W8taminute]

^I definitely was saddened by that news yesterday. 

[JasonPratt]

Yeah, haven't watched it yet, but I saw indications Russia had sent anti-air to Iran. Was that it?

[Redwolf]

WSO from the downed F-15E rescued.

That was an expensive strike:
- 1x F-15E
- 1x A-10
- 1 or 2 damaged Blackhawks
- 2x Hercules
- 2x Little Birds

[Jarhead0331]

WSO from the downed F-15E rescued.

That was an expensive strike:
- 1x F-15E
- 1x A-10
- 1 or 2 damaged Blackhawks
- 2x Hercules
- 2x Little Birds

I personally measure cost in lives. We lost nobody. The operation was a great success.