News claiming Turkish F-4 shot down by Syrian AD

[scoober78]

It went down in the Med.

Combine that with an SA-6 operator who had a virtual 9mm at his head and here's what you get.

Yes, it did...and all reports I've seen are that it was shot down with AAA...

Probably are right about the "heightened defense posture".

 

[Brett327]

It can still have been engaged over Syrian airspace, then impact in the Med. If it was AAA (as Syria has claimed in the media), then it pretty much has to have been engaged over Syria.

 

[Pugs]

It can still have been engaged over Syrian airspace, then impact in the Med. If it was AAA (as Syria has claimed in the media), then it pretty much has to have been engaged over Syria.

True - I've not heard what did the actual bagging but I can't picture what would would be important that the Turks would send an RF-4 to go take a look-see. FWIW the Syrians are falling all over themselves apologizing so I'm going to stick with a FU tight now but happy to correct myself if it proves otherwise.

 

[Brett327]

True - I've not heard what did the actual bagging but I can't picture what would would be important that the Turks would send an RF-4 to go take a look-see. FWIW the Syrians are falling all over themselves apologizing so I'm going to stick with a FU tight now but happy to correct myself if it proves otherwise.

I think your defecting aircraft theory is actually plausible, but it's hard to make assumptions without knowing exactly how it went down and whether the F-4 was outbound or not.

 

[PhrogLoop]

I can't picture what would would be important that the Turks would send an RF-4 to go take a look-see.

There is open source reporting that the Turks have been supporting and providing safe haven for elements of the FSA. It's not a stretch to suppose that they might have been also providing intel support (RF-4 provided info on Syrian positions and movements).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/22/saudi-arabia-syria-rebel-army?newsfeed=true