The first time the US has shot down an enemy in air-to-air combat since 1999 during the Kosovo conflict. The incident took place at 6:43pm local time on Sunday, June 18th.

 

The Syrian army's SU-22 had just completed a bombing run near Tabqah, the location of an outpost held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic forces. US Central Command released a statement about the encounter, saying that "In accordance with rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of Coalition partnered forces, it was immediately shot down by a US F/A-18E Super Hornet."

 

Syrian forces have since claimed that the SU-22 was attempting to bomb a suspected ISIS location, and that the bombing run was in no way an act of aggression against the United States or its partnered forces. The Syrian ministry has released their own statement, saying that, "The shooting down of a Syrian Air Force jet in Syria’s airspace is a cynical violation of Syria’s sovereignty. The US’ repeated combat operations under the guise of ‘combating terrorism’ against the legitimate armed forces of a UN member-country are a flagrant violation of international law and an actual military aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic."

 

Russia's deputy foreign minister has called the US fighter's actions an "act of aggression" and the Russian defense ministry has terminated the Russian Coalition's communication channel with the United States.

Russia is not our Friend.

Was kind of surprised this wasn't being talked about more. I didn't realize we hadn't shot down another plane under similar circumstances since 1999.

Was kind of surprised this wasn't being talked about more. I didn't realize we hadn't shot down another plane under similar circumstances since 1999.

 

It's not like the Afghans had an air force or the Iraqi's ever got their planes off the ground. :thumb:

It's not like the Afghans had an air force or the Iraqi's ever got their planes off the ground. :thumb:

 

Agreed but usually there is cat and mousing.

Here is a Picture of an F-18 Super Hornet

 

 

The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all weather multirole fighter jet that is capable of landing and taking off from an aircraft carrier. Every Super Hornet has been delivered on cost and on schedule.

 

Boeing offers a suite of upgrades to the F/A-18 Super Hornet, including conformal fuel tanks, an enclosed weapons pod, an enhanced engine and a reduced radar signature. These capabilities, along with other advanced technologies, offer U.S. and international customers a menu of next-generation capabilities to outpace future threats affordably.

 

Speed Mach 1.8

Empty Weight 32,100 lb

Max Takeoff Weight 66,000 lb

 

Boeing: fa-18-super-hornet

Here is a Picture of an F-18 Super Hornet

 

[ATTACH]62369[/ATTACH]

 

The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all weather multirole fighter jet that is capable of landing and taking off from an aircraft carrier. Every Super Hornet has been delivered on cost and on schedule.

 

Boeing offers a suite of upgrades to the F/A-18 Super Hornet, including conformal fuel tanks, an enclosed weapons pod, an enhanced engine and a reduced radar signature. These capabilities, along with other advanced technologies, offer U.S. and international customers a menu of next-generation capabilities to outpace future threats affordably.

 

Speed Mach 1.8

Empty Weight 32,100 lb

Max Takeoff Weight 66,000 lb

 

Boeing: fa-18-super-hornet

 

Certainly a jet you don't want to see in your rear view mirror. The SU-22 is no match for the Super Hornet. It appears we are moving some of our jets to different areas to de-escalate the conflict but appear to still stand by the ideal of shooting anything down that is deemed a threat to the U.S. coalition forces.

Certainly a jet you don't want to see in your rear view mirror. The SU-22 is no match for the Super Hornet. It appears we are moving some of our jets to different areas to de-escalate the conflict but appear to still stand by the ideal of shooting anything down that is deemed a threat to the U.S. coalition forces.

 

Agree

 

And best I can tell we haven't even broke out our best jets like the F22.

Agree

 

And best I can tell we haven't even broke out our best jets like the F22.

 

Yeah I don't believe the F22 Raptor has ever been involved in air to air combat, but it would make short work of even the F18 Super Hornet. Multiple SU-22's wouldn't have much of a chance against a single F22. Honestly any country not named Israel needs to think long and hard before they get into an air to air battle with US forces.

Yeah I don't believe the F22 Raptor has ever been involved in air to air combat, but it would make short work of even the F18 Super Hornet. Multiple SU-22's wouldn't have much of a chance against a single F22. Honestly any country not named Israel needs to think long and hard before they get into an air to air battle with US forces.

 

That's because Maverick is now training our pilots.