The American pilot of the US F-15 aircraft, who ejected out after a crash, was treated with dignity and respect by rebel Libyan forces and is now back safe with minor injuries, a US commander said today.
"Late last night, Central European Time, two US Air Force crew members ejected from their F-15E Strike Eagle after the aircraft encountered an equipment malfunction in eastern Libya.
"Both crew members ejected, and they're safe," said Admiral Samuel J Locklear III, Commander, US Naval Forces Europe and Africa.
One crew member was recovered by coalition forces, said Locklear, who is also the commander of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, the task force established to provide operational and tactical international response to the unrest in Libya and to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect the Libyan people.
"The other crew member was recovered by the people of Libya. He was treated with dignity and respect, is now in the care of the United States," Locklear told Pentagon reporters in a telephonic briefing from his ship in the region.
The F-15 was assigned to conduct a strike mission against the Gaddafi regime's missile capabilities, an action in compliance with the provisions of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, he said.
There was no communication with the rebel forces during this rescue operation, the US commander said. "We are doing an investigation. We are only hours away from having that incident occur. We are in the middle of a major operation out here.
"This investigation will take time, and it will be looked at very carefully, by the components as we go forward," he said when asked about news reports that coalition forces fired on Libyan villagers killing five of them during the rescue operation.
"The recovery mission from my perspective was executed as I would have expected to be, given the circumstances," he noted.
"We all know military operations are inherently dangerous, and I am continually impressed by the bravery and courage of the young men and women who put themselves forward to protect others day in and day out," he said.
