It appears the Governor of Kentucky was only saved from being shot down because his plane was in a cloud when the F-16 following it was trying to target it.
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Seems like the polical landscape would be a lot different today if Govenor Fletcher had been shot down as a terrorist. Actually, things might be a little saner now....
PS, as a pilot myself, do you know what the difference is between shooting ME down and the Governor of Kentucky ?
They'd be sorry about shooting the governor down....
F16 is an all weather fighter with ordnance fully capable of targeting an aircraft in just about any weather condition and killing it.
The pilots ROE was to get a visual first and make sure it wasnt a heavy, or a warbird. They tend to not like to kill civilians on simple suspision. If there was a kill on sight order..the governor would have had his shit scattered. No ifs, ands or buts.
But it makes great newscopy.
Oh..go down to the Italian helicopter article. The one about bidding on the presidential helo and if it should be an American or Italian company...
" Agusta Westland spokesman Stephen Moss told the Times Americans should want their president in the best chopper for the best price. "The real issue is whether you want competition on a level playing field or a win based on jingoist anti-foreign sentiment in an election year," he said. "
Gunners note..or it could be the simple concept of Buy American...shrug.
Gunner
That rifle hanging on the wall of the working-class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there. - George Orwell
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