[Arab TV Claims] US Jet Shot Down by Iraqi Anti Aircraft Fire [Female Pilot Captured]

Islamic Republic News Agency and 'Al Arabiya' TV ^ | March 22, 2003 | BH/JB

[ewing]

Iraq anti aircraft shot down an invading jet over Baghdad Saturday, the al-Arabiya television channel said.

The aircrafts pilot-a woman-and its co-pilot parachuted safely but were captured by Iraqi forces.

[wardaddy]

To my knowledge, female pilots are trained for combat

Why waste taxdollars? Training pilots cost a fortune...just to appease the feminists. Like Travis said on the other thread....this is an indulgence right now.

[Dec31,1999]

The Blixie Chicks! I love it!

[wardaddy]

Well it ought to be.

[upcountry miss]

My niece's daughter is trained to fly fighter jets, refuelling planes and military transports. She has served two tours in Arabia, but right now, thankfully is stationed on the west coast, but could be called over there at any time. What a dreadful thought that any female could be subjected to capture by those perverted thugs!!

[HairOfTheDog]

I am speaking to their ability as pilots. And the assumption that was made that any woman chosen would presumptively be a lesser pilot. My point is that there is nothing particularly unsuitable about women for flying planes, and that they have a few aspects that in fact make them good for the job. That is not a statement that women can do anything a man can do. Yes, men serve us well as pilots. So do women.

I don't know what you mean about the EP3 decision process re: landing versus ditching and it doesn't matter. A woman being there and a decision being made that you think was a bad one are not related except by proximity.

I have never seen GI Jane.

[ewing]

I agree with you regarding females in combat, I was just asking if that Discovery Show was true (regarding the differences between men and women)

[No Truce With Kings]

"It took weeks for the US to admit that Scott Speicher was shot down on the first night of Gulf War 1."

That statement is flat wrong. Cent Com announced that Speicher was shot down, and presumed dead the day after the mission was flown.

I remember because it sparked a great deal of discussion from the younger engineers in the group I was working in. (We had a new crop of college recruits that year.) Several were near the same age as Speicher -- they discussed with the sobriety that young twenty-something males do when they realize that people their age are mortal.

The issue with Speicher is that he was initially listed as KIA, and was not reclassified as a POW in the mid-1990s because a certain other president did not want to deal with the issue of getting him back. He *was* reclassified during the current Administration, which is more willing to face up to unpleasant realities than its predecessor.

[JoeGar]

Au Contraire. I know for a fact that there are female Electronic Warfare Officers flying in the Marine EA-6Bs. They also flew in Kosovo.

[annyokie]

It is my considered opinion that KC-135 Tankers do not close with the enemy.

[Jhoffa_]

And the assumption that was made that any woman chosen would presumptively be a lesser pilot.

Didn't say that..

Lesser combat pilot in my opinion. Lesser combat anything, afaiac.

I don't think women belong in combat in planes, jeeps, air balloons, tanks, boats, hang gliders or shopping carts regardless of anything.

But, I don't want to fight about it. If you feel differently, I will be happy to simply not agree.

[HairOfTheDog]

The post I first responded to was not by you, it was by someone else, telling us the convoluted way he thinks the decision to let a woman fly might by made.

[Jhoffa_]

I didn't respond to that part of the post. (frankly because I didn't understand it. I thought it was an attempt at humor or something.)

[TankerKC]

This is true. But, women also fly B-52s, F-16s, F-15s, and all other aircraft. Why do you refuse to beleive this? It's ok if you don't like it, but it is a fact.

[Dec31,1999]

Good post. Women just don't belong in combat situations, in general, unless they're particularly manly-like, in which case, well...most men wouldn't want them around anyway. It's not good for morale.

Nonetheless, there are probably some fine women soldiers defending our freedom today.

[MarkL]

Women can't fly combat missions or aircraft so this is obviously some fake news...sheesh you'd think they would try to lie properly at least :)

Are you sure about that? If they can't fly combat missions, why would they train in front line, first rate airplanes?

Remember the lady pilot (and, I believe her RIO) who died in the F-14 Tomcat some years ago? I don't think that the Navy would be putting a woman in an F-14 if she wasn't going to be able to fly combat missions. Of course, I could be wrong.

Mark

[Jhoffa_]

As long as the subject is on the table, I don't like the gays either.

I know that would have to have an effect on morale and cohesion.

I just don't like it, and I honestly wouldn't expect others to either.

[annyokie]

It is also a fact, whether you like it or not, Commanders will not intentionally place female pilots in intentionally Close Contact!

[dandelion]

I guess you'd have to tell that to Boudicca, Celtic Queen of Icena, who burned Roman Londinium to the ground in 61 A.D.

You also need to tell it to Artemisia, Warrior-Queen of Halicarnassus who slapped Athens with her superior battle strategy.

You would need to tell it to Queen Tomyris of the Massagetai who not only crushed the Persian army to avenge her son, but killed King Cyrus. According to ancient writings, "Search was made among the slain by order of the queen for the body of Cyrus, and when it was found she took a skin, and, filling it full of human blood, she dipped the head of Cyrus in the gore, saying, as she thus insulted the corpse, "I live and have conquered you in fight, and yet by you am I ruined, for you took my son with guile; but thus I make good my threat, and give you your fill of blood."

These were the women of old. They were motivated by many noble or not so noble virtues; but the American woman as warrior makes them look like rank amateurs. American women, motivated by love of God and Freedom are serving voluntarily and nobly in combat even now, and they are laying down their lives for you. My daughter will be among them.

What the American woman lacks in size and strength, she makes up in sheer rage and cold cruelty, not to mention the pure unadulterated emotional-magma of PMS. They are filled with the visions of Sept. 11, and it makes them want to kill the bastards who murdered our men, parents and our children. They are not men - nor do they want to be. They are the essence of the Woman as Warrior risen to the highest form. What they cannot accomplish through size and strength they will accomplish through skill and fortitude.

So if you don't think women should be warriors, go tell it to the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force. Oh yeah, and go tell it to the Marines...

[TankerKC]

Then document that fact, as I have documented the fact that there are, indeed, women pilots.

Have you ever been a commander? Do you know anyone who is/was? I really not sure where you are coming from on this.