48
FEATURED ARTICLE
APJ/DAVID F. BROWN
APJ/DAVID F. BROWN
F/A-18D 164051, assigned to VMFA(AW)-121, was flying a FAC mission on February 21, 1991. The crew, Maj. Ken "Cheyenne" Bode (pilot) and Capt. John Scanlan (WSO), were strafing Iraqi ground targets when they were hit in the starboard engine by a heat seeking missile. Despite suffering serious engine damage, the pilot was able to land safely. This Hornet was quickly repaired and back in action with the addition of a Purple Heart applied to the nose (inset).
Below: Aerial victory markings (inset) consisting of three Iraqi flags indicate this aircraft, F-15C, 85-0102, assigned to the 33d TFW, was used to shoot down three Iraqi aircraft, a MiG-23 on 29 January and a pair of SU-22s on 7 February 1991. The green flag indicates Col. Rick Parsons downed a SU-22 on 7 February 1991. When Col. Parsons scored his kill, he was flying F-15C, 85-0124. The SU-22s downed on 7 February were seeking sanctuary in Iran.