In another Odyssey Dawn operational first, a Marine Corps V-22 Osprey was used in the TRAP mission that picked up the downed Strike Eagle pilot in eastern Libya a few hours ago, a defense official who spoke on background told DT. This is the CSAR debut for the Osprey.
In other details around the story, the official also put a finer point on the fact that the Air Force pilot had been brought aboard the USS Kearsarge in the Gulf of Sidra, but the weapons systems officer had not -- assumption being that while he was listed as "safe" he was not in the company of American forcess but rather still with Libyan rebels.
UPDATE: Officials tell Military.com that both aircrew are back in American military custody.
-- Ward
