This photo is likely the last taken of Tico's 87-0257, pulling into EOR on the 19th of January. Hours later this aircraft was lost to a SAM during the largest strike package of the Gulf War. Target for Today: Baghdad - The 19th of January 1991
From F-16.net:
The following photos were taken by me back in the first Gulf War. The pilot in the photo is CW3 Paul Madrid.
I was an aerial observer serving with C-3/101 Attack Avn. We were a Scout weapons team comprised of two AH-1 Cobras and one OH-58c Scout helicopter. One of our usual missions was to screen along the Euphrates River to deny the Iraqi forces from maneuvering or fleeing west or south of the river. We were just completing our screening mission since we were getting low on fuel and received a call over the radios asking us to go check out a crashed F-16. We received the grid and departed. I am not sure if we were to confirm or deny the site and report it or if we were to provide security for follow on forces. I can not remember the exact details. However, when we arrived on station we landed our Kiowa and the Cobras provided security. My pilot exited the aircraft and inspected the wreckage. The picture tells all. Not much else needs to be said. Once complete we departed (fuel critical) and reported our findings to our Brigade. We were not sure how old the wreckage was and Brigade did not have any further information. We assumed that the pilot had ejected at some point for their wasn't any sign of the canopy; that is until now.
It is pretty amazing how this story has evolved. I have posted numerous posts on various websites, contacted webmasters from various USAF unit sites, and have had no luck. I think I even posted on this forum awhile back. If you have an archive you may find it. Nonetheless 14 years later it has come to light.
Coincedently, I am currently in Iraq in support of OIF-2 stationed in Mosul. We were the unit to come in relieve the 101st last fall. Vulcan I think it was good of you to share this piece of history and not hold on to it or sell it like others would have. Thanks for allowing to share my experience.
CW2 Kevin Belanger
OH-58D Maintenance Test Pilot
This is 257's canopy being transported across Iraq during 2003 atop an Army water buffalo. Photo via SFC Donald Demadura
The canopy was found last April by some Marines in a Stadium near Iskandaria, Iraq. It was being held along with some other war trophies as proof that the Iraqis were able to defeat the United States in 1991. The Marines reported the find to the 101st as they knew that the 101st had AF Weather attached to them. The canopy was given to my neighbor to bring back. Since he and three other Airmen were living and working out of a 4 seater HMMWV the canopy was not exactle a priority for them ( he has since told me that I have to hide the canopy as he does not want any heat for the Army bringing it back instead of him!). I took the canopy and emailed the names of from the canopy to a friend of mine in OSI. He was able to find me an email address for CAPT Rossen. He and I have been in touch since April 03 and he told me what he knew about the bird.
The F-16 was flown by MAJ Jeff 'Tico' Tice at the time it was shot down. Jeff was shot down shortly after a daytime bombing of an oil refinery southwest of Baghdad. Iskandaria is southwest of Baghdad so it did not go far during the past 12 years.
After I took possession of the canopy, we jumped from Iskandaria to Mosul, Iraq on 5 May. The canopy sat until December 03 when we packed are gear in preparation for the return convoy to Kuwait. It was packed inside an ISU-90 and was sent back by boat and was returned to me about 2 weeks ago.
The canopy is in very good condition as you can see. Some of the gold coating is flaking off the inside of the canopy and she has some pretty good scratches and a few cracks but is in otherwise good condition. One thing I would like to point out is that the canopy is a heck of a lot heavier than it looks to be!
Just so you guys know, the canopy is now at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tuscan, AZ.
In the fall of 2006, Bill Hinchey, 87-0257's Crew Chief, and his family visited 'his' canopy at the Pima Air Museum.
