Lou Benoit

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One-eleven down - f-111 crashes and combat losses

The story of the F-111 is not yet complete! Although the flying days of the F-111 have passed, unanswered questions still remain. The sole purpose of One-Eleven Down is to answer; “Why some F-111’s never came home.” Lengthy research and the merging of two U.S. Air Force careers brought together a wealth of F-111 history, and technical, but readable, explanation. The F-111 had a remarkable career as a tactical fighter. Its combat history was revived in the headlines following the brilliant anti-terrorism strike against Libya during Operation El Dorado Canyon. Overshadowed by the Stealth Fighter, the F-111 was actually the heavyweight fighter that delivered the big punch during Desert Storm. Shortly thereafter, the F-111’s career with the USAF was being drawn to a close. The final chapters of the F-111 history require a recounting of the losses. One-Eleven Down is that story.