(Click to Expand)A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flies over Afghanistan in support of Operation Mountain Lion on April 12, 2006. U.S. Air Force F-15, A-10 Thunderbolt II and B-52 Stratofortress aircraft are providing close-air support to troops on the ground engaged in rooting out insurgent sanctuaries and support networks. The F-15 crew and fighter are deployed to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in Southwest Asia from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
U.S.Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Lance Cheung
From Air Force Times:
The loss of an F-15E Strike Eagle over the weekend marked the first crash of an Air Force fighter in Afghanistan since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2001. Both crewmembers died.
The jet was not shot down, according to a statement from the Defense Department released shortly after the crash. The cause is still under investigation.
Killed were pilot Capt. Mark R. McDowell, 26, and weapons systems officer Capt. Thomas J. Gramith, 27, both deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. N.C.
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My Comment: This is a surprise .... after 8 years this is the first plane to crash in Afghanistan. No wonder the Taliban have been looking for anti-aircraft missiles .... this is their one weakness .... and everyone knows it.