F/A-18 Fighter Pilot Shoots Down MiG-21

F/A-18 Fighter Pilot Shoots Down MiG-21

September 16, 2023

The Day Mark "MRT" Fox Became a MiG Killer: A Glimpse into Aerial Combat during the Gulf War

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In January of 1991 Vice Admiral Mark “MRT” Fox was an F/A-18 pilot on the leading edge of combat missions to oust Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait.  "MRT" Fox, piloting an F/A-18 Hornet, found himself merging with two Iraqi MiG-21 aircraft.

"As we were executing our mission, we were alerted to the presence of two Iraqi MiG-21 aircraft."

The mission began as a routine operation to suppress enemy air defenses. However, the calm was shattered when Fox and his wingman were alerted to the presence of two enemy MiG-21s. The skies quickly turned as “MRT” and “Mongo” engaged and downed the two MiG-21s.

Fox's wingman took the initiative, engaging and successfully shooting down one of the MiGs, followed quickly by Admiral (then commander) Fox engaging the second MiG an AIM-9 and AIM-7 Sparrow missile, watching it streak through the sky and obliterating the MiG-21.

"I fired an AIM-7 Sparrow missile, which successfully hit and destroyed the MiG-21."

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