Boy, this would make the story even crazier!

Rumor only, but rumor on the street is the pilot rescued Friday is one of the same pilots who was shot down by Kuwait a few weeks ago.

If true, probably going to get an epic new callsign.

— KC-10 Driver ✈️ 👨‍✈️ B-737 Wrangler (@MCCCANM) April 5, 2026

Wasn't Kuwait a f/a-18?

clw04 said:

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CanyonAg77 said:

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Ag with kids said:

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CharlieBrown17 said:

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Deployed squadrons still have commanders and DOs

Not uncommon for LtCols to fly. If he was a true full bird, at little less common but the last line I flew into centcom had a full bird on one of the jets as the airlift package commander.

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I was at a conference and there were 2 guys in flight suits in front of me...one was a major and the other was an 0-7...

I was kind of surprised - not that an O-7 HAD been a pilot, but that he was wearing a flight suit, implying he still WAS a pilot.l

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I suspect folks might still wear flight suits, even if not flying every day.

And the wife mentioned that maybe the Colonel in question was a reservist, which might explain why he's still flying at an advanced rank.

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My friends dad was a general and still putting in his flight training hours to stay current.

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Dan Caine still occasionally flys F-16s.

Not unusual for O-7's to still fly. I flew with an O-8 a couple times

GAC06 said:

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Not unusual for O-7's to still fly. I flew with an O-8 a couple times

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Flying to keep your hours up is different than being assigned to a deployable UTC.

This dude was off staff and back in ops…yes it's unusual…but it's not totally uncommon for an OG or CV to fly msn.

JB!98 said:

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Boy, this would make the story even crazier!

Rumor only, but rumor on the street is the pilot rescued Friday is one of the same pilots who was shot down by Kuwait a few weeks ago.

If true, probably going to get an epic new callsign.

— KC-10 Driver ✈️ 👨‍✈️ B-737 Wrangler (@MCCCANM) April 5, 2026

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None of the pilots in Kuwait were O-6s.

K2-HMFIC said:

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JB!98 said:

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Boy, this would make the story even crazier!

Rumor only, but rumor on the street is the pilot rescued Friday is one of the same pilots who was shot down by Kuwait a few weeks ago.

If true, probably going to get an epic new callsign.

— KC-10 Driver ✈️ 👨‍✈️ B-737 Wrangler (@MCCCANM) April 5, 2026

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None of the pilots in Kuwait were O-6s.

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It is more than likely BS, but he said pilot not WSO.

CanyonAg77 said:

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Ag with kids said:

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CharlieBrown17 said:

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Deployed squadrons still have commanders and DOs

Not uncommon for LtCols to fly. If he was a true full bird, at little less common but the last line I flew into centcom had a full bird on one of the jets as the airlift package commander.

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I was at a conference and there were 2 guys in flight suits in front of me...one was a major and the other was an 0-7...

I was kind of surprised - not that an O-7 HAD been a pilot, but that he was wearing a flight suit, implying he still WAS a pilot.l

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I suspect folks might still wear flight suits, even if not flying every day.

And the wife mentioned that maybe the Colonel in question was a reservist, which might explain why he's still flying at an advanced rank.

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I did ask that Major about it and he told me the General still flies...

Maybe just because no one in his command can tell him NO, though...

JB!98 said:

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Boy, this would make the story even crazier!

Rumor only, but rumor on the street is the pilot rescued Friday is one of the same pilots who was shot down by Kuwait a few weeks ago.

If true, probably going to get an epic new callsign.

— KC-10 Driver ✈️ 👨‍✈️ B-737 Wrangler (@MCCCANM) April 5, 2026

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Especially as that was a different plane type for a different branch of the military.

The jets shot down in Kuwait were USAF F-15E's just like the most recent shoot down and rescue

GAC06 said:

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The jets shot down in Kuwait were USAF F-15E's just like the most recent shoot down and rescue

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He may be thinking of the A-10 that went down in Kuwait???

Ag with kids said:

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CanyonAg77 said:

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Ag with kids said:

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CharlieBrown17 said:

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Deployed squadrons still have commanders and DOs

Not uncommon for LtCols to fly. If he was a true full bird, at little less common but the last line I flew into centcom had a full bird on one of the jets as the airlift package commander.

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I was at a conference and there were 2 guys in flight suits in front of me...one was a major and the other was an 0-7...

I was kind of surprised - not that an O-7 HAD been a pilot, but that he was wearing a flight suit, implying he still WAS a pilot.l

---

I suspect folks might still wear flight suits, even if not flying every day.

And the wife mentioned that maybe the Colonel in question was a reservist, which might explain why he's still flying at an advanced rank.

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I did ask that Major about it and he told me the General still flies...

Maybe just because no one in his command can tell him NO, though...

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Current guidance is for GOs to fly still, at least for training sorties. Not always that way.

What is the SOP for someone in this flier's position to defend himself as opposed to surrender?

Is he expected to shoot at people trying to capture him?

The frech couldn't rescue one of their downed pilots even if they wanted to. The problem is that when In combat the Rafael like all french jets, only the reverse thrusters are designed to work

OldArmy71 said:

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What is the SOP for someone in this flier's position to defend himself as opposed to surrender?

Is he expected to shoot at people trying to capture him?

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I would think that the only time to fire would be if you were in imminent danger of being caught. If you start shooting then you give your position away and you had better save the last bullet for yourself. No way I would want to be captured by the Iranians. I think he did exactly what his SERE training taught especially the first SE, Survival and Evasion.

There is no SOP. He would have a pistol against AKs. He would do his best to evade but defend himself if it made sense.

GAC06 said:

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Not unusual for O-7's to still fly. I flew with an O-8 a couple times

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Fair enough...

I was just surprised seeing it...

deddog said:

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Ag In Ok said:

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I thought this mission set is exactly why we wanted the osprey.

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Osprey was likely too big to rescue the pilot from a crevice on a mountain, needed something more nimble perhaps

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If we wind up getting the 'high speed tiltrotors' in both manned and unmanned variants in the next 10+ years (maybe closer to 15-20) it might be a great tool for such operations.

They will be pushing toward 500mph and utilizing unprepared strips for vertical landing/take off. Personally I think Bell is again the leader here, but it's all preliminary for the time being. The forthcoming MV-75 (faster than the V-22) might also be an option but I don't think the USAF has shown any interest in those for the time being. Once it's in regular army service, if it's working well I have to assume SOCOM will take a serious look.

F4GIB71 said:

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There is no SOP. He would have a pistol against AKs. He would do his best to evade but defend himself if it made sense.

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The new survival kit has want amounts to a small M4 in it. Pistols of our days are things of the past. Kits a re WAY more useful now.

nortex97 said:

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deddog said:

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Ag In Ok said:

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I thought this mission set is exactly why we wanted the osprey.

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Osprey was likely too big to rescue the pilot from a crevice on a mountain, needed something more nimble perhaps

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If we wind up getting the 'high speed tiltrotors' in both manned and unmanned variants in the next 10+ years (maybe closer to 15-20) it might be a great tool for such operations.

They will be pushing toward 500mph and utilizing unprepared strips for vertical landing/take off. Personally I think Bell is again the leader here, but it's all preliminary for the time being. The forthcoming MV-75 (faster than the V-22) might also be an option but I don't think the USAF has shown any interest in those for the time being. Once it's in regular army service, if it's working well I have to assume SOCOM will take a serious look.

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I saw that...

I'll have to reach out to my folks at Bell to see how that's going.

BTW...the MV-22 and MV-75 are quite different aircraft, even though they share the tilt-rotor technology.

And SOCOM likes the tilt-rotor. That's why they have the CV-22 in the USAF...

That's great. I had an instructor in F-4 training who had been shot down on his tour. He commented that the standard issued .38 was a POS to reload when being chased thru rice paddies. I went to school on his comment and bought a Browning Hi Power to take with me. I carried it in the issued belt holster and carried the .38 in my survival vest. Glad I didn't need to use them.

Interesting story about how times have changed. When I was leaving Houston to go to Travis, I called the airline to ask what I should do with a personal firearm. They said to just put in my luggage. I asked the same question at Travis and got the same answer. We flew to the Philippines for Jungle Survival and again got same.

Ag with kids said:

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GAC06 said:

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Not unusual for O-7's to still fly. I flew with an O-8 a couple times

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Fair enough...

I was just surprised seeing it...

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O6's flying to maintain flight pay...or probably in this case to get combat time...or even just to relieve one of their airmen... is not strange or uncommon in the USAF. Most, who are in direct command of operations, maintain MQ status if they are any good at what they do.

If you don't experience the the job yourself, how can you understand what your people are going through right now????

In combat aviation and combat aviation support roles, Majors and Lt Cols are not uncommon.

I flew all of my combat/combat support missions as a Major and I was part of the standard rotation. I spent the rest of my AF life on the ground as a Lt Col...it was VERY disappointing, but made sense as my expertise was no longer in directly executing operations, but in directing and planning those operations.

Not a poke at you, but trying to head off the inevitable unknowing's asking why the "old man' was out there.

F4GIB71 said:

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That's great. I had an instructor in F-4 training who had been shot down on his tour. He commented that the standard issued .38 was a POS to reload when being chased thru rice paddies. I went to school on his comment and bought a Browning Hi Power to take with me. I carried it in the issued belt holster and carried the .38 in my survival vest. Glad I didn't need to use them.

Interesting story about how times have changed. When I was leaving Houston to go to Travis, I called the airline to ask what I should do with a personal firearm. They said to just put in my luggage. I asked the same question at Travis and got the same answer. We flew to the Philippines for Jungle Survival and again got same.

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Great story! One I have heard a lot. The old .38 was great for 6 shots, but in a world of 30 round automatics left a lot to be desired.

I have a Walther PPK that I tried to bring along on deployments, but was denied. You were in an older AF than myself, so they got a lot more anal about personal weapons in my time. PPK was not a wonder weapon, but was small, compact and 8 shots v 6. Was easy to reload and easy to carry multiple reloads. Hit well for as small caliber pistol.

USA*** said:

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Ag with kids said:

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GAC06 said:

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Not unusual for O-7's to still fly. I flew with an O-8 a couple times

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Fair enough...

I was just surprised seeing it...

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O6's flying to maintain flight pay...or probably in this case to get combat time...or even just to relieve one of their airmen... is not strange or uncommon in the USAF. Most, who are in direct command of operations, maintain MQ status if they are any good at what they do.

If you don't experience the the job yourself, how can you understand what your people are going through right now????

In combat aviation and combat aviation support roles, Majors and Lt Cols are not uncommon.

I flew all of my combat/combat support missions as a Major and I was part of the standard rotation. I spent the rest of my AF life on the ground as a Lt Col...it was VERY disappointing, but made sense as my expertise was no longer in directly executing operations, but in directing and planning those operations.

Not a poke at you, but trying to head off the inevitable unknowing's asking why the "old man' was out there.

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FWIW...I was talking about the O-7 I met at a conference who was in a flight suit and I confirmed from his O-4 that he was still flying...

But, yes, I get your point.

And I feel for you with the transfer to LTC and not getting to "play" anymore. I have been in management (which I SWORE I WOULD NEVER DO) for the past 3 years...I'm good at it, it appears (maybe my years raising 9 kids helped)...

Ag with kids said:

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USA*** said:

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Ag with kids said:

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GAC06 said:

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Not unusual for O-7's to still fly. I flew with an O-8 a couple times

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Fair enough...

I was just surprised seeing it...

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O6's flying to maintain flight pay...or probably in this case to get combat time...or even just to relieve one of their airmen... is not strange or uncommon in the USAF. Most, who are in direct command of operations, maintain MQ status if they are any good at what they do.

If you don't experience the the job yourself, how can you understand what your people are going through right now????

In combat aviation and combat aviation support roles, Majors and Lt Cols are not uncommon.

I flew all of my combat/combat support missions as a Major and I was part of the standard rotation. I spent the rest of my AF life on the ground as a Lt Col...it was VERY disappointing, but made sense as my expertise was no longer in directly executing operations, but in directing and planning those operations.

Not a poke at you, but trying to head off the inevitable unknowing's asking why the "old man' was out there.

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FWIW...I was talking about the O-7 I met at a conference who was in a flight suit and I confirmed from his O-4 that he was still flying...

But, yes, I get your point.

And I feel for you with the transfer to LTC and not getting to "play" anymore. I have been in management (which I SWORE I WOULD NEVER DO) for the past 3 years...I'm good at it, it appears (maybe my years raising 9 kids helped)...

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Understood. Again, not a poke, just a amplification. Have flown with a few Generals who maintained flight status. But never in a combat or combat support situation.

I suspect you have more management of personnel experience than me with 9 kids...lol....good on you! I am somewhat jealous.

Ag with kids said:

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USA*** said:

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Ag with kids said:

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GAC06 said:

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Not unusual for O-7's to still fly. I flew with an O-8 a couple times

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Fair enough...

I was just surprised seeing it...

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O6's flying to maintain flight pay...or probably in this case to get combat time...or even just to relieve one of their airmen... is not strange or uncommon in the USAF. Most, who are in direct command of operations, maintain MQ status if they are any good at what they do.

If you don't experience the the job yourself, how can you understand what your people are going through right now????

In combat aviation and combat aviation support roles, Majors and Lt Cols are not uncommon.

I flew all of my combat/combat support missions as a Major and I was part of the standard rotation. I spent the rest of my AF life on the ground as a Lt Col...it was VERY disappointing, but made sense as my expertise was no longer in directly executing operations, but in directing and planning those operations.

Not a poke at you, but trying to head off the inevitable unknowing's asking why the "old man' was out there.

---

FWIW...I was talking about the O-7 I met at a conference who was in a flight suit and I confirmed from his O-4 that he was still flying...

But, yes, I get your point.

And I feel for you with the transfer to LTC and not getting to "play" anymore. I have been in management (which I SWORE I WOULD NEVER DO) for the past 3 years...I'm good at it, it appears (maybe my years raising 9 kids helped)...

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I was a wing commander's executive officer to a BG who was flying. I'd ride in the backseat to make sure the BG didn't crash (or break too many rules).

I flew right seat for a BG over Kyle Field for a football game circa 1997. Greatest flyby in history.

Usually, Wing CCs (colonels or BGs) and Ops Group CCs (colonels) are flying.

Good discussion, imho.
https://www.youtube.com/live/UIfu0oIofOM
Rumor that the B-1's dropped a...lot of bombs on the abandoned aircraft/IRGC.

Haven't read about the disposition of the downed F15. Did they destroy it as well? And if so, how did they do it?

There was a picture posted earlier of the reported crash site. It was basically a smoking hole. A piece of a vertical stabilizer is the biggest piece of wreckage I've seen circulated

nortex97 said:

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Good discussion, imho.
https://www.youtube.com/live/UIfu0oIofOM
Rumor that the B-1's dropped a...lot of bombs on the abandoned aircraft/IRGC.

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Those guys say 40 1000# bombs…..guess the B1s wanted to save a little fuel on the return trip to base.

Awesome Easter gift.

Quote:

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Brave locals blocked their routes

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That's really cool.