1. Today I’m investigating the crash & claims of shootdown of a USAF E-11A Bombardier ac, over Ghazni Province — Taliban controlled territory in Afghanistan. This video purportedly shot at the scene shows the ac registration 358 on the tail.
USAF operates E-11A in the Battle Space Airborne Communications Node. Effectively a secure WiFi in the sky that allows critical comms btw elements fighting the Taliban: JTACs talking to Close Air Support jets for example.
📸 dvids.net
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPYVFXpXUAElf88.jpg)
Per @Reuters: A U.S military spokesperson has confirmed:
• the crash of the USAF E-11A in Ghazni Province, but has not commented upon who or how many were on board, or fatalities.
• that there were no indications crash was caused by enemy fire.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPYVFwRXkAE7wNG.jpg)
Per @Reuters: the Taliban are claiming:
• The aircraft ‘was brought down.’
• It was ‘on an intelligence mission.’
• Crew involves ‘high ranking officers.’
So what could bring an E-11A down?
• MANPADS. IR Seeker. Very limited quantities. U.S supplied Stinger to Mujahideen in 80s vs Soviets. Batteries a weak point. Few instances of use. @MilitaryTimes reported Iran supply of SA-7 to Talibs from 2010 Intel report. Max Alt below 20,000ft.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPYVGfkWoAA3Z3i.jpg)
MANPADS also use impact and proximity fuses and target heat sources. There’s no evidence of major shrapnel fields across the rear engine, from the crash site footage in #1.
*Highly unlikely*
I cannot identify any IR Jammer, Missile Warning System, Flare boxes on the ac at Kandahar. This suggests operating altitudes are well above MANPADs and HMG threats. Ergo, well above 20,000ft.
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![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPYVHl_XkAAPY68.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPYVHmGW4AUU7hh.jpg)
While HMG, MANPADS and SAMs are extremely unlikely. Ac very very rarely drop out of the sky.
Sabotage would have to entail clandestine activity occurring at Kandahar. Given the security, extremely unlikely.
*Caution as unconfirmed.*
Rumours circulating about Michael D’Andrea, CIA’s Iran black ops chief, known as the ‘Dark Prince’ and ‘Ayatollah Mike, was on board the E-11A.
m.jpost.com/Middle-East/Ir…
‘D’Andrea’s name began to appear in Farsi media (Iran) in the aftermath of the Soleimani strike when articles at Mehr News and Radio Farda claimed he was involved in planning the US operation.’
Iran claiming D’Andrea was on board and the E-11A was shot down by Talibs is good propaganda for Iran. Iran’s Tasnim News Agency quoted Russian sources saying the “assassin of Soleimani was on the plane and [was] killed in the crash.”
There’s been contradictory info about who was on board & who was recovered.
U.S hasn’t provided any info on passengers or deaths — if this isn’t going to be a propaganda win for Iran, maybe the U.S need to confirm the pax manifest? (after Kin-forming)
Latest reports suggest just 2 crew were involved. Pilots learn to operate on the E-11A only in Afghan.
@Reuters: U.S official talking under anonymity said remains were believed to be of 2 service members on the plane.
The Pentagon declined to comment.