This is what happens when your military is lead by whiskey leaks and the fat man.

  • jason@discuss.online
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    1 day ago

    Just did a quick search, and it looks like a handful were shot down during desert storm. Interestingly, 1 was shot down via sidewinder accidentally fired by a wingman during training. So, I guess the true statement should be, “never lost a dogfight?”

    • HugeNerd@lemmy.ca
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      17 hours ago

      Thanks, I didn’t know. I just sort of picked up that “never shot down” thing… like… maybe over the last few decades? And when I googled the AI vomited up all 5673 windshield incidents, etc

      • azuth@sh.itjust.works
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        23 hours ago

        Vietnam had tons of them, enough to force F-4s to get gun pods since missiles were not ready.

        Pretty sure there were dogfights in Iraq vs Iran and India vs Pakistan conflicts.

        The lack of dogfights in USA’s last wars are due to overwhelming differences in numbers leading to the weaker air force trying to avoid confrontation in general.

        If stealth really works it certainly will favor dogfights versus bvr combat.

        • bthest@lemmy.world
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          16 hours ago

          Yeah the two gulf of Sidra incidents in 1980s are the only time US pilots have seen actual “dog fighting” since Vietnam.

          Each fight lasted seconds and only involved only two aircraft on each side but because they’re the only aerial fight the US has had post-Vietnam these two incidents are treated like the Battle of Midway or something. lol

          Entire fucking books have been written on them, tactical “strategies” and techniques developed on them. Even had goddamn movies (Top Gun) made to commemorate these shoot down incidents. lol