Raceaddict Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/24253/ukrainian-su-27ub-flanker-crashes-reportedly-killing-ukrainian-and-u-s-pilots-onboard There was indication at first that one of the pilots was with the US ANG, but that report has since been taken down. Details are sketchy at the moment, obviously. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 USAFE press release confirms a US service member was in the Flanker. https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Press-Releases/Article/1663471/su-27ub-fighter-aircraft-crashes-at-clear-sky-2018-update/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 (edited) Hmm, page as it comes up for me here is showing text which is not a confirmation, EDIT: I mean confirmation of a fatality. Quote **UPDATE** We have seen reports claiming a U.S. casualty and can confirm a U.S. service member was involved in this incident. It is currently under investigation and we will continue to provide more information as it becomes available. Edited October 16, 2018 by southwestforests Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 It has changed since I posted the link. It definitely said a US serviceman was on the jet. While any loss of life is tragic it is possible the initial reports were wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raceaddict Posted October 17, 2018 Author Share Posted October 17, 2018 (edited) The most current release I've seen (linked in the above TheDrive.com article) confirms that there was indeed a American fatality along with the Ukrainian. Quote A Ukrainian Su-27UB fighter aircraft crashed yesterday at approximately 5 p.m. local time during exercise Clear Sky 2018 in the Khmelnytskyi region, Ukraine. One U.S. service member and one Ukrainian service member died in the crash. The U.S. service member involved in the crash was a member of the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, Fresno, California. The Airman was taking part in a single-aircraft familiarization flight with a Ukrainian counterpart. No other aircraft were involved in the incident. The identity of the service member is being withheld for 24 hours pending next of kin notification. "This is a sad day for the United States and Ukraine," said Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, California ANG commander and Clear Sky exercise director. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and fellow Airmen of both the U.S. Airman and Ukrainian aviator who were killed in the incident."Exercise Clear Sky 2018 is a joint and multinational exercise that involves approximately 950 personnel from nine nations, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This year marks the 25th anniversary of collaboration between the California ANG and Ukraine as part of U.S. European Command’s State Partnership Program. This program has been successfully building relationships with our partners and allies in over 75 nations around the globe.The U.S. and Ukrainian governments are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. More information will be released as it becomes available. Edited October 17, 2018 by Raceaddict Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 😞 horrible news. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foxmulder_ms Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 What is the back story on this? I didnt know USAF men were flying in flankers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raceaddict Posted October 17, 2018 Author Share Posted October 17, 2018 6 minutes ago, foxmulder_ms said: What is the back story on this? I didnt know USAF men were flying in flankers. The article I linked fills in the "whys". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 15 minutes ago, foxmulder_ms said: What is the back story on this? I didnt know USAF men were flying in flankers. Because they were taking Part in Excercise Clear Sky 2018. American Pilot Killed During "Clear Sky 2018" Joint Exercises In Ukraine | Zero Hedgehttps://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-10-16/american-pilot-killed-during-clear-sky-2018-joint-exercises-ukraine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skyhawk174 Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 So sad. Must have been something pretty serious that they could not eject. Condolences. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waco Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 Unfortunately, in most fighter fatalities where aircrew don’t eject, it has nothing to do with the severity of the incident, or any failure of the escape system. In most cases, ejection is not attempted, or is initiated far too late for a successful egress. I have not yet seen if these folks attempted to eject, but it is highly probable they did not. Tragic loss,particularly poignant since it took place in a partnership exercise. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 (edited) On 10/17/2018 at 3:30 PM, foxmulder_ms said: I didnt know USAF men were flying in flankers. That started happening back in the 1990s when Russian Flankers visited Langley AFB. Regards, Murph Edited October 20, 2018 by Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 On 10/17/2018 at 3:30 PM, foxmulder_ms said: What is the back story on this? I didnt know USAF men were flying in flankers. Wasn't a USAF pilot killed flying an AF-owned Flanker in Nevada a year or two back? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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