Video - Libya - Mar. 22, 2011

U.S. rescue team shoot six Libyan civilians rushing to greet downed American.

Six Libyan villagers are recovering in hospital after being shot by American soldiers coming in to rescue the U.S. pilots whose plane crash-landed in a field.

The helicopter strafed the ground as it landed in a field outside Benghazi beside the downed U.S. Air Force F-15E Eagle which ran into trouble during bombing raid last night.

And a handful of locals who had come to greet the pilot were hit - among them a young boy who may have to have a leg amputated because of injuries caused by a bullet wound.

A second aviator - the F15's weapons officer - was found in a field full of sheep and was greeted like a hero by locals and anti-Gaddafi rebels.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1368750/Libya-war-US-rescue-team-shoot-6-civilians-rushing-greet-downed-F-15-crew.html#ixzz1HSRpApIR

---

A senior U.S. military commander who directly commands the operation in Libya confirmed Tuesday that an F-15 fighter jet of the U.S. military was down in Libya due to mechanical malfunctions, and two pilots were safe and rescued.

Admiral Samuel Locklear, the U.S. commander who directly commands the operation in Libya, told a Pentagon briefing via phone that the jet was on strike mission against Libyan government missile site when it went down Monday night.

Locklear said both crew members, a pilot and a weapons officer, "ejected and they're safe."

"One crew member was recovered by coalition forces. The other crew member was recovered by Libyan people. He was been treated with dignity and respect," Locklear added, saying he was looked after by rebel forces.

The admiral refused to provide more details and address a question as to whether troops opened fire on Libyans during the rescue operation. Both crew members are now in coalition hands.

Locklear spoke from USS Mount Whitney, which serves as command and control center for the Libya operation in the Mediterranean.

---

Video of jet going down...

---

---

Video of RAF Tornado jets mid-air refueling en route to Libya.