U.S. Special Ops ‘Spy’ Plane Crashes in Africa Killing Four
- Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:19pm by
Liz Klimas
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(Photo: US Air Force)
NAIROBI, Kenya (The Blaze/AP) — An American reconnaissance plane crashed 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the only U.S. base in Africa, killing four service members on board, after returning from a mission in support of the war in Afghanistan, the military said Monday.
The statement said that the crash occurred at about 8 p.m. Saturday in Djibouti. U.S. personnel from Camp Lemonnier in the tiny Horn of Africa nation responded to the scene. Reports don’t specify what exactly took the plane down, but Specialist Ryan Whitney of the 1st Special Operations Wing said that initial indications are that the plane did not crash because of hostile fire.
The plane was conducting an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission, he said. A statement from U.S. Africa Command called it a “routine” flight.
Amy Oliver, public affairs director of the Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing, said the single-engine, fixed-wing U-28A was returning from a mission in support of the Afghanistan war, specifically Operation Enduring Freedom.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Camp Lemonnier lies only miles from the border with Somalia. Wired, which called the aircraft a “spy” plane, reports that military activity in this area has increased recently:
[...] special operations forces have increased their activity in east Africa significantly in recent years, particularly in Somalia, where on January 24, they pulled off a dramatic hostage rescue deep inside the country. There is another American still held hostage in Somalia, the author Michael Scott Moore, but it was unclear whether the intelligence mission the four elite airmen completed had anything to do with Moore.
The four killed in the crash included: Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the 319th Special Operations Squadron; Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Georgia, with the 34th Special Operations Squadron; 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Oregon, with the 34th Special Operations Squadron; and Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, with the 25th Intelligence Squadron.
Hall was a U-28 pilot with more than 1,300 combat flight hours. He was assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.
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pamela kay
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 8:19amIs it me or does this seem odd?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 9:16amThe explanation does. Especially since Obama sent special ops into Africa after the “Army of God” months ago and we have not heard another word about it.
Report Post »eagle2715
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:27amGONZO
“…we have not heard another word about it.”
That’s par for the course with how these guy do their business… For a long time the only time they made the news is when they made mistakes….
Report Post »lauross
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:58pmWhat if they aren’t really dead?
Report Post »Cavy from VA
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 8:06amIdiot! … I’m sure their familys hope that they are not dead. But, that is not what has been reported. I have a friend who does this same sort of thing … he speaks Arabic and Farci … it would be a tradgedy if he lost his life this way. I’m sure the fellows on that plane were just as fine examples of our military as my friend. God bless them all and may God Bless America!
TEA!
Report Post »AnAmerican111
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:20pmMore American hero’s with the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives to protect this Country!
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:22pmYes indeed! I hope we will remember them all! These are selfless individuals who voltuntarially go in harms way for this country.
Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the 319th Special Operations Squadron; Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Georgia, with the 34th Special Operations Squadron; 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Oregon, with the 34th Special Operations Squadron; and Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, with the 25th Intelligence Squadron.
Fair Winds and Following Seas comrades in arms. Chief ADC (AW) JMS USN (RET)
Report Post »FreedomPurveyor
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 9:45pmHow strange that so many military aircraft have crashed recently, unaided by enemy activity.
Report Post »one-icon
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 9:51pmBudget cuts…
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:52amI find this to be odd myself FREEDOMPURVEYOR.
Report Post »eagle2715
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:25amNothing odd about it, military aviation is inherently dangerous…You’ve just seen more of the crashes make the news lately…
Report Post »ByTheBay
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 9:26pmOur special op teams are a national treasure. As a American, I say thank you, to the men who train to be so strong and their families that offer their loved ones to us. I pray that whatever mission these men were on was worth the sacrifice of our wonderful young men.
Report Post »Uranium Wedge
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 9:49pmAmen.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:27pmi hope so too – but i wouldnt bet on it
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:59pmMay the good Lord rest your souls!
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:54pmAn American reconnaissance plane crashed 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the only U.S. base in Africa, killing four service members on board, after returning from a mission in support of the war in Afghanistan, the military said Monday.
Report Post »—————————————————————————————-
Why would we launch a plane in Africa to suuport the war in Afghanistan when we have a giant airbase in Afghanistan, namely Baghram? And that’s not the only airbase we have in Afghanistan. Can someone help me with this?
phoenix110
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:55pmWhy do our Special Ops personnel keep dying in plane crashes? Seems kind of odd, especially considering that NONE of them are combat related. What are the odds of this randomly happening, what monthly?
Report Post »eagle2715
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:58pmI hear Target is having a sale on tin foil…Better get it before the 9-11 truthers…
Report Post »yiska8
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:46pmMaybe they were a part of the Seals who “killed” OBL. The other Seals were on the last chopper that went down. If these are all conicidences, I could buy that in the thick of war with so many going up choppers and planes over and over again. But, these incidences are happening in a strange staggered effect. Almost like they are timed. Sick. But do we really think this administration and the word “coincidence” actually is believed anymore? No need for tin foil hats, just your critical thinking caps. Anything is possible.
Report Post »MS Patriot
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:57pmYou can‘t claim Osama Bin Laden’s death without giving something in return. King Hussein was upset that he only gained 3 percent in the polls after claiming Osama’s death. You can’t use propaganda like Osama without having to give something in return. It must be hell being a Muslim subversive in the White House. Now his memoirs will be worth reading. I wonder which Muslim nation he will return to after his defeat. Indonesia? Kenya? or maybe he will be asked to come to Saudi Arabia, after all they did buy his way through school. How does someone who is not very intelligent get into Harvard from Columbia without the grades to justify it. Money!
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 9:02pm@Yis… — SEALs are Navy. These men were Air Force. All the services do have their own special operators called by different names. We do have “advisers” in Uganda to tear out the heart of the Lord’s Army insurgents and terrorists. Kenya is next door, sandwiched betw Uganda and Somalia. Maybe they are looking at rounding up and killing off those Somali pirates :-)
Report Post »eagle2715
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:07pmSeriously guys…..do you have any idea who all would have to be be involved in order for this **** to actually be some conspiracy to kill people? Your talking not just Obama, but Joint Chiefs, Base Commanders, Squadron Commanders…And that’s just the people who care about their image….Do you honestly expect some airmen or army mechanic to tinker around with a plane/helo and make it crash?
For *#$& sake, think about what your saying. It’s no different than the idiots who say demo teams took down the twin towers…
Just stop with this *********, it’s a waste of your brain power and my sanity….
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:25pmIts an unfortunate air mishap! Maybe pilot or maintenance error but nothing more.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:52pm61 Million to Kenya… to rewrite the Constitution the ObamaWay — So, what is up to Now?
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:46pmplease all americans stop going to somalia. this is crazy we have lost another group of patriots. I know many have wonderful charitable hearts but seriously it is endangering the lives of our warriors who happen to be sons, fathers, husbands, brothers etc. your “charity” and in some cases your vacation is putting others in danger not just yourselves. please stop going to somalia, tehran, pakistan etc or you will get stuck, raped, robbed, held at ransom, beheaded etc in these godforsaken places and some group of heroes may need to come get you. just stop already. Prayers for these men and their families. God rest their souls.
Report Post »Slayer
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:43pmThis morning I passed a car with a WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER bumpersticker right next to OBAMA2012.
Report Post »How many conflicts are we involved in? Let‘s count ’em: Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Libya, Kazakhstan, Somalia and Uganda.
GTMO? Still open.
Deficit? Record high.
Economy and jobs? In shambles.
Democrat Party? Lost over 600 seats last election.
Unbelievable how the Left will bury their principles to keep this fool in office.
HorseCrazy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:53pmLiberals cannot see the truth when it stares them in the face. If only they would direct their energy to actual causes instead of sending money to planned parenthood feed some kids. Instead of “saving the planet” helping their neighbors etc. Bumper stickers like the one you saw just irritate me on my way to work.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:31pmHORSECRAZY, Not “Cannot see” but “Refuse to see.”
Report Post »venture291
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:05pmWas he going 50mph on a 65 mph highway in the passing lane. Oh and on his cell phone of course.
Report Post »venture291
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:13pmThey all seem to have a situational awareness deficit disorder? or is it they just like to obstuct progress. probably both?
Report Post »CanteenBoy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:25pmAll of the liberals, and anyone else for that matter, posting on this site can do so because of America and what she stands for.
Those killed in service of OUR country deserve our highest respect.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:49pmamen. God Bless our patriots.
Report Post »svan71
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:12pmObamas military looking good. Who is going to get the tech out of this one?
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:43pmGod rest their patriotic America loving souls.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:22pmLord have mercy on their souls.
Report Post »TexBork
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:09pmReports don’t specify what took the plane down? I bet gravity did. I can’t speak for the Army nor Air Force, but in Naval Aviation, we’ve got a perfect record of never having left anyone up there.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:27pmDamn …
Report Post »CanteenBoy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:30pmDamn…
My Dad had 488 combat missions over Vietnam and he sometimes jokes that as long as your takeoffs equal your landings, you’re good.
But damn, man.
Report Post »wewantchillywilly
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:57pmnever forget the brave airmen we have in this country.
Report Post »Slap Shot
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:32pmHas anyone noticed not one word about our military’s men and woman march in Washington today on The Blaze. The march was in support of Ron Paul. Are you kidding me Blaze not you to, the establishment has got to you. BLAZE = MSM
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:54pmExactly. The BLAZE has a left leaning editor…yeah…you know who you are!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:55pmThe BLAZE has a left leaning Editor. Get used to it.
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:07pmHave you not noticed that the vast majority of the men and women of The United States have no interest whatsoever in Ron Paul?
Report Post »Slap Shot
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:32pmLets have this conversation in November.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:08pmSLAP SHOT. I looked at all the comments on this topic and must have missed you saying something… anything… that might show you really care for our brave military who put their lives on the line EVERY DAY in Service to our nation. And in this case… dying while doing it.
Ron Paul and what you would like to make as a commercial for him should take a back seat… and rightly so.
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:10pmGreat!
Report Post »So you will stop the spamming nonsense?
drago
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:26pm@slap shot aka baddoggy aka enciloon.
Report Post »Go away you pathitic pest…….
HorseCrazy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:05pmwatching brett baier on fox he just did with video coverage. I think I may have seen a story on the blaze last week stating they were planning to do a march. stupid it isnt on here with pictures i totally agree
Report Post »supermansdad
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:48pm@Slapshot. The military is P R O H I B I T E D from doing anything in support of a candidate. Good lie boy wonder/paultard.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:31pmPrayers going out to their familys.
R.I.P. and God speed!
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:30pmGod be with them. May all RIP.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:23pmSeems like a lot of special ops guys are disappearing as of late.
Obama must feel threatened.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:38pmMy thoughts exactly – don’t ever remember so many military planes going down before.
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:35pmPossibly a don‘t ask don’t tell maintenance crew couldn’t properly torque the vital components.
Report Post »eagle2715
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:03pm@Neverending
It‘s just because all incidents don’t make the news…. The Navy/USMC tallied 30+ incidents (ranging from class A to Class C) a year while I was in..
@2THEADDLED
You almost made me spill my coke on my desk from that. :) haha
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