Forum: General F-16 forum

Quote:

I had the decon deuce-and-a-half flying on the way back to the ramp (scary in itself as I had no military drivers license and my 'normal' ride was an MGB) and we arrived just as engines were shutting down. A lot of unrecorded records were set in the next few minutes as the aircraft were combat turned (simultanious rearm and refuel) just in case our guys could get back up there to help in the search. In the end because of the distance and the fact that more capable aircraft were already tasked and overhead they didn't go.

MKopak - Could you tell me more about the ICTs that were done. Did they accomplish them like we have been trained on them, or did they do a more effecient job? This is actually the first time I had heard about ICTs actually being done in a real world situation.

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The following photos were taken by me back in the first Gulf War.

I was an aerial observer serving with C-3/101 Attack Avn. We were a Scout weapons team comprised of two AH-1 Cobras and one OH-58c Scout helicopter. One of our usual missions was to screen along the Euphrates River to deny the Iraqi forces from maneuvering or fleeing west or south of the river. We were just completing our screening mission since we were getting low on fuel and received a call over the radios asking us to go check out a crashed F-16. We received the grid and departed. I am not sure if we were to confirm or deny the site and report it or if we were to provide security for follow on forces. I can not remember the exact details. However, when we arrived on station we landed our Kiowa and the Cobras provided security. My pilot exited the aircraft and inspected the wreckage. The picture tells all. Not much else needs to be said. Once complete we departed (fuel critical) and reported our findings to our Brigade. We were not sure how old the wreckage was and Brigade did not have any further information. We assumed that the pilot had ejected at some point for their wasn't any sign of the canopy; that is until now.

It is pretty amazing how this story has evolved. I have posted numerous posts on various websites, contacted webmasters from various USAF unit sites, and have had no luck. I think I even posted on this forum awhile back. If you have an archive you may find it. Nonetheless 14 years later it has come to light.

Coincedently, I am currently in Iraq in support of OIF-2 stationed in Mosul. We were the unit to come in relieve the 101st last fall. Vulcan I think it was good of you to share this piece of history and not hold on to it or sell it like others would have. Thanks for allowing to share my experience.

CW2 Kevin Belanger
OH-58D Maintenance Test Pilot

Photos taken by myself and pilot in the first photo is CW3 Paul Madrid.

Hello all!
I was the Crew Chief on 87-0248 at TJ and Doha. I was launching Tico out on 87-0248 on that day until it broke in chalks. We did rush him off to 87-0257, and the rest of the story continues as written on this site. I can also confirm Tico's superstition about spitting in the exhaust, and not doing it on 257 do to the rush. Not much more to add. Later.

Just so you guys know, the canopy is now at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tuscan, AZ. It will be on display sometime in September. Anyone having information about 0257 or having worked with Jeff Tice, photos, the crash scene or this canopy, please email me as I want to forward everything to Pima so they can include it in the display. Or, I wil put you in contact with my POC there.

Also, special thanks to Kevin for the crash scene pics! It is ironic that he is currently in Mosul as that is where the canopy cleared customs as was packed for shipment. I had the canopy there from 5 May 03 to the first week in January 04. I guess 0257 wanted to be a true screaming eagle as the 101st found her after the crash and brought her remains him 13 years later.

Here are a few more recent photos of 257's canopy at the Pima Air Museum, in Tuscon, AZ. It is on display in the nose art area of Hangar 3.

This is Bill Hinchey visiting 'his' canopy. Bill was 257's crew chief and launched Tico out on the Package Q mission to Baghdad on 19 January 1991.

For more on the Lucky Devils and Package Q, including cockpit video of the mission, please visit the Lucky Devils in the Gulf War at: http://www.lucky-devils.net

Mike Kopack

It has been sometime since I last visited this site. I just wanted to post that I has the opportunity to visit Pima a few years back. The canopy is still on display in hanger three. Bill was able to get out there and see it. I'd like to actually meet Tice, Rossen, Hinchey, and Tores one day. I hope they all get to visit the canopy to include Bellanger.

I will say I am a bit dissappointed that I was not credited for bringing the canopy home or for the donation by Pima. Selfish on my part I am sure.

Get out there and visit 257 if you get a chance!

What a fascinating thread! Thanks to everyone for posting.

Here's an article about Tice's time as a POW.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gulf/war/3.html

Roberts; now Col Roberts was for a fact in 228. As he is currently my base commander.

bohica wrote:

Roberts; now Col Roberts was for a fact in 228. As he is currently my base commander.

You've got it! This was Col. and Mrs. Roberts at the 2009 Nellis AFB Airshow, in front of F-16C 86-0315, which was also one of the 16's that was assigned to our unit in the Gulf, flying 40 combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait during Desert Storm. I understand that she's now a test bird at Edwards AFB.

Mike

Neat photo Mike, I see it has the 614th TFS badge on the intake and the inlet cover from the 162nd FS. Yes, the aircraft is now with the 416th FLTS.

I'd had that sticker in the closet for nearly twenty years. Felt pretty good to put it on the intake once again!

this is Col. Roberts on the 178FW's final mission on 30 July 2010. He had just noticed the "Lucky Devils" painted on the canopy rail of 86-0315. It was the most poignant moment I'd ever witnessed.

Nice thread to come by. Its neat to know about that fighter too. I would watch the HUD video every few years but now I know what it's from. Does anyone know if the two that had to punch flew fighters after that? Where are they today?

chrisrt wrote:

Nice thread to come by. Its neat to know about that fighter too. I would watch the HUD video every few years but now I know what it's from. Does anyone know if the two that had to punch flew fighters after that? Where are they today?

Yes, both of the pilots in the infamous Package Q video returned to the cockpit - one of them, Mike 'Cujo' Roberts, in 87-0228 that day, is the pilot pictured two posts above yours! The other Jeff 'Tico' Tice, who was in 87-0257, currently flies in the airlines in the southwestern US - as does 'ET' Tullia who you are flying along with, dodging Iraqi SAM's, as you watch the video. And just because ET's life wasn't exciting enough, he has recently qualified as a volunteer fireman as well.

Mike

Forum: General F-16 forum

F-16 canopy returned from Iraq