US F-15 Eagle Warplane Crashes in Libya
A US warplane, an F-15 Eagle, has crashed in a field about an hours drive outside Benghazi following a third night of bombardment. At the moment the US defence department says that the plane suffered ‘mechanical problems’.
The plane is a two seater and both the pilot and navigator ejected safely, landing in territory now held by the rebels.
The US defence department says that at the moment there is no evidence that the plane was brought down by any enemy action but that it suffered a mechanical problem.
The F-15 Eagle entered service in 1976 and is considered one of the most successful combat aircraft having taken part in over 100 engagements without suffering a loss due to enemy action.
Meanwhile in the rest of Libya, Col. Gaddafi called for another ceasefire last night but it appears from reports coming out of the country that the ceasefire has not been observed by Gaddafi’s troops on the ground.
It appears that the only rebel held city in the west of Libya, Misrata, was under heavy attack by Gaddafi’s artillary and it was unclear wheter they had already entered the city or not.
Libyan state TV has broadcast supporters of Gaddafi camping outside his compounds in order to protect them from attack. They have also broadcast pictures of people in hospital that they say are civilian casualties of the UN action although it is impossible to verify any of these claims.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said that coalition forces were “going to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties”.
Photo: expertinfantry
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