F-22 Scores First Combat Kill Against Eight-Engined Red Aircraft
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK - Captain Gary Rinch of the 622nd Fighter Wing can lay claim to the first combat kill with an F-22 fighter after shooting down what he described as "an eight-engined red aircraft" late last night.
The encounter took place on December 24th, at 2345 Alaskan Time, north of the Arctic Circle during a combat air patrol exercise.
Capt. Rinch had suspicions about the unidentified aircraft, and reported the pilot wouldn't reply to any attempts to make contact.
"He wasn't broadcasting any FAA or DOD identifying signals," said Rinch. "He kept on his southerly course and had to be viewed as a threat."
The F-22 and its pilot performed a flyby to visually inspect the aircraft at Mach 2. "I saw a red fuselage and eight powerplants moving that sucker. Of course, at that speed, things get distorted."
After multiple attempts to force the aircraft off its course, Rinch had no choice but to fire a single missile at the airborne interloper. After multiple failed attempts to…
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