Turkish, Greek fighter plane collision
ISN SECURITY WATCH (Tuesday, 23 May 2006: 14.10 CET) – A search and rescue operation is underway after a Greek fighter jet and a Turkish warplane collided Tuesday.
The crash happened near the island of Karpathos in the Aegean Sea. Turkish media reported that the pilot of the aircraft from Turkey had been rescued. No word on the pilot of the Greek fighter.
AP quoted the Greek Defense Ministry as saying it appeared that the Greek F-16 was attempting to intercept the Turkish R-F4 jet when the accident occurred.
According to reports, the interceptions, also called mock dogfights, are common in the area, especially in disputed airspace. Greece says its national airspace extends 10 miles. Turkey recognizes six and says it has the right to train in international airspace.
A long-standing dispute over land and airspace rights has been waged between the Turkey and Greece, with the two countries almost going to war three times since 1974.
The crash happened near the island of Karpathos in the Aegean Sea. Turkish media reported that the pilot of the aircraft from Turkey had been rescued. No word on the pilot of the Greek fighter.
AP quoted the Greek Defense Ministry as saying it appeared that the Greek F-16 was attempting to intercept the Turkish R-F4 jet when the accident occurred.
According to reports, the interceptions, also called mock dogfights, are common in the area, especially in disputed airspace. Greece says its national airspace extends 10 miles. Turkey recognizes six and says it has the right to train in international airspace.
A long-standing dispute over land and airspace rights has been waged between the Turkey and Greece, with the two countries almost going to war three times since 1974.
posted by Marko at 5/23/2006 08:29:00 AM
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