U.S. Military Aircraft Shot Down Over Vietnam During Linebacker II (58-0246)

Incident Overview and Mission Context The aircraft departed Andersen Air Force Base on Guam Island operating under the call sign Preach 02. It carried seven crew members and was participating in the Linebacker II mission over Vietnam. ## Encounter with Enemy Fire While flying over Kinh No in Vietnam, the aircraft was struck by enemy fire, specifically an SA-2 surface-to-air missile. The crew was able to leave the area and headed toward Nam Phong Airbase in Thailand. ## Egress and Crash The crew was eventually forced to abandon the aircraft and bail out. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in an isolated area located about 30 km southwest of Nam Phong. The aircraft was totally destroyed. ## Crew Outcome All seven crew members were found alive and evacuated.