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US airmen rescued after F-14 crashes in Iraq
AS-SALIYAH, Qatar (AFP) Apr 02, 2003
 Two US airmen were rescued Wednesday after their F-14 crashed in Iraq following mechanical failure, Central Command said in a statement.

"Coalition forces successfully rescued two US Navy aviators after their F-14A "Tomcat" crashed due to mechanical failure," said a statement released at Centcom headquarters here.

"A combat search and rescue team successfully recovered the pilot and radar intercept officer and took them to a coalition air base" at around 1:50 am local time (2250 GMT).

Neither of the airmen was thought to have been injured in the incident.

"A combat search and rescue team flew a rescue helicopter to recover the downed crew. Full details of the F-14 incident are unknown at this time and are under investigation," the statement added.

No details of damage to the plane or of where the crash took place were given.

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