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2nd Fighter jet crashes in Afghan, in just 2 days

by Amitjha | July 19, 2009 at 09:43 pm

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In just two days time it is second Fighter jet crash in Afghanistan.And it is not the militants who is doing this. The latest incidient of crash, although the crew member is safe, raises serious doubt about the operational efficiency of the NATO forces.

A NATO official says a fighter jet has crashed at NATO's largest base in southern Afghanistan, the second major crash at the base in two

days.

Capt. Ruben Hoorncelv, a spokesman for the NATO-led force, says a fighter jet crashed inside Kandahar Air Field during takeoff at 7:20 am Afghanistan time on Monday. The two-man crew ejected from the jet and are being treated at the base hospital.

Hoorncelv says there is no indication insurgent activity caused the crash, but that officials don't yet know why it went down. The jet caught fire and emergency personnel responded.

A Russian-owned civilian helicopter crashed at Kandahar Air Field on Sunday, killing 16 people on board.

Hoorncelv says he thinks the rash of crashes is coincidence

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Paschen

at 21:46 on July 19th, 2009

Thank you for the post on this latest incident Amit.

Amitjha

at 21:55 on July 19th, 2009

Thanks Paschen, What do you think, it is strategic failure or war fatigue that is causing these mishaps?

Paschen

at 22:04 on July 19th, 2009

Well, for starters I do not believe in coincidences, I would say any think with what is known at this point would be speculation and guessing work.

However we deal with machines and Humans and neither are perfect. Especially not in war zone.

albertacowpoke

at 03:15 on July 20th, 2009

Afghan police and NATO troops closed down the highway that runs by the base, and emergency personnel cordoned off the crash site and evacuated the surrounding area, Hoornveld said.

The crash of the Tornado is the third aircraft to go down in Afghanistan in three days. A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashed early Saturday in central Afghanistan, killing two crew members. U.S. officials say insurgent fire did not bring down the plane.

Last week, Taliban militants downed an Mi-6 transport helicopter in southern Afghanistan, killing six Ukrainian civilians on board and an Afghan child on the ground.

Earlier in July, two Canadian soldiers and one British trooper were killed in a helicopter crash in Zabul province. Officials said that crash did not appear to be a result of hostile fire.

albertacowpoke

at 03:18 on July 20th, 2009

The jet crashed inside Kandahar Airfield during takeoff at 7:20 a.m. Afghanistan time (0250 GMT), said Capt. Ruben Hoornveld, a spokesman for the NATO-led force. The two-member crew ejected and were being treated at the base hospital.

There was no indication that insurgent activity caused the crash, he said, but officials could not immediately say why the plane went down. The jet caught fire and emergency personnel responded.

NATO didn't identify which nation the jet came from, but a U.S. military spokeswoman in Kabul, Lt. Cmdr. Christine Sidenstricker, said the jet was a Tornado — an aircraft commonly flown by British forces

albertacowpoke

at 03:24 on July 20th, 2009

Equipment fatigue as well as fatigue of the soldiers with multiple tours has been quoted by the Chief of Land Staff, General Andy Leslie, of the Canadian Army. This has also been reiterated by the Chief of the Defence Staff General Walt Natynchyk. These statements were made several month ago.

I know that heat and dust can have a devastating effect on helicopters. I am not sure which nations besides Britain and the US provide fighter aircraft. I know Canada has none committed. I know the Luftwaffe (Germany) has Tornados, I doubt that they have any engaged in Afghanistan though because of their constitution.

albertacowpoke

at 03:27 on July 20th, 2009

Tornado Multiple Role Fighter Aircraft

albertacowpoke

at 04:14 on July 20th, 2009

Thanks for your comments Tom White. I agree, if a country wants to wage war, they have to make the investment. We wouldn't accept shortcuts in industry if it led to loss of life.