Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Today in Aviation History: 1989 – US Navy F-14 Tomcats Shoot Down Two Libyan MiGs

January 4, 2017 F-14B_VF-32
FighterSweep Staff No Comments History, Military Aviation, Navy, Video

On January 4, 1989 two US Navy F-14’s shot down two Libyan MiG-23’s. The Libyan government of Muammar Gaddafi had drawn a ‘line of death’ in the Gulf of Sidra and declared that anyone crossing it would suffer the consequences.

Tensions were already high between the US and Libya as US officials had confronted Libya with accusations of constructing a chemical weapons plant near  their capital city Tripoli.

President Reagan was told of the shootdown via phone call from Lt. Gen. Colin L. Powell at 2:53 am. The Pentagon was quick to deny the action had anything to do with the Libyan chemical plant and stated the US had not provoked the Libyans in anyway.

Listen to Actual Pilot Communications During the Shootdown

Defense Secretary Frank C. Carlucci said that the downing of the Libyan jets “had nothing to do whatsoever with that plant” and took place more than 600 miles away. He said the pilots of the two Navy F-14 Tomcats acted in self-defense after taking action to evade the Libyan fighters.

“The F-14 pilots maneuvered to avoid the closing aircraft,” Carlucci said. “They changed speed, altitude and direction. The Libyan aircraft continued to close in a hostile manner.”

Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi called the U.S. downing of the Libyan jets an act of “American terrorism” and vowed revenge, the official Libyan news agency reported.

Kadafi threatened to “meet challenge with challenge,” Libya’s Jana news agency said in a dispatch monitored in London. “If America has prevailed because it is a superpower in the air and the sea, it will inevitably be defeated on land. We, as well as the fish, are awaiting them,” Kadafi was quoted as saying. – Los Angeles Times (1989)

News of the incident caused some panic in the Libyan capital as residents feared further attacks by the US.

Soviet-Mig-23

Photo of Soviet Mig 23 via public domain

Featured Image by U.S. Navy photo – Photographers Mate Airman Kristopher Wilson, via Wikimedia Commons

Related Posts

  • YouTuber discovers American fighter jets left to rot in the woodsYouTuber discovers American fighter jets left to rot in the woods
  • Photo Gallery: Old GloryPhoto Gallery: Old Glory
  • Only Highly Skilled Pilots Can Tame the ‘Killer’ Corsair—Here’s WhyOnly Highly Skilled Pilots Can Tame the ‘Killer’ Corsair—Here’s Why
  • 22 American UAVs in the 21st Century Battlefield22 American UAVs in the 21st Century Battlefield
  • HiJENKS Missile: Bold Innovation From US Navy and Air Force LabsHiJENKS Missile: Bold Innovation From US Navy and Air Force Labs

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

  • September 4, 2019

    Photo Gallery: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

  • Whistling Death: How The Corsair Got Its Nickname
    August 30, 2019

    Whistling Death: How the Corsair got its nickname

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • pak152 " the team came up with what the Brits dubbed as Mustang, powered by a [...]
  • P K Polish AF never has and never will operate Su-27, An-26 aircraft has been out [...]
  • bnarfhyde The best book is also great. have a [...]
  • TerrorTrike ive never survived this long with such a clumsy FL- cG.866B.CO/NC6155hc
  • D4rksupeme yessss truck kunnnnnnnn i needddd you m.866E.CO/vC6155H

© Copyright 2023 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...