CNN: Missing jetliner spurs terrorism concerns (African 727)

U.S. adds to military forces in Horn of Africa

"(CNN) -- The recent disappearance of a Boeing 727 along with a resurgence of terror activities near the Horn of Africa have spurred the United States to add new combat power to the region, the senior U.S. commander based in the area has said."


I knew this plane would make the news while shrub was in Africa. And what a convenient time this is. If shark-attacks don't knock Tenet/Iraq-gate off the headlines today, this might.

Thank you for flying Rovian Airlines.

but how the hell does a 727 disappear without a trace?

in only 2 days - likely a record for speed in re-registration

Cover story is Leb businessmen in Africa and flights to and from Somalia, Sudan, and Leb plus West Coast of Africa. There has got to be at least a movie of the week in this story!!!!

Didn't it?

Same plane. I guess that as usual, "US Officials" are at least a few weeks behind the news. The missing plane was found a couple weeks back: Repainted and relicensed.

It was spotted at an aiport somewhere in Africa.

Then it couldn't be - and still hasn't been - found again. Now it has potential as a prop for all kinds of real & imagined terror scenarios, starting with the US moving lots of F-16's and other jets into the French Djibouti airbase, as per the CNN article.

edit:
From the Toronto Star: A perfect flying bomb dissapears

missing from Angola: May 28
spotted in Guinea: June 28

Another Article on this for you guys

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=10cfb8f1acbab04a


U.S. adds to military forces in Horn of Africa
Saturday, July 12, 2003 Posted: 0602 GMT ( 2:02 PM HKT)



The U.S. commander in Africa says 727s fly on approved air routes, so if one appeared suddenly, it would be deemed a threat.



(CNN) -- The recent disappearance of a Boeing 727 along with a resurgence of terror activities near the Horn of Africa have spurred the United States to add new combat power to the region, the senior U.S. commander based in the area has said.

"We've been in a more aggressive posture for over a month," Marine Brig. Gen. Mastin Robeson, commander of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Djibouti on Friday.

From July 6

"Missing plane turns up in Guinea"

JAMES ASTILL IN FREETOWN


"THE mystery of a missing Boeing 727 cargo plane that caused panic in United States intelligence circles appears to have been solved. The aircraft, which vanished without trace from Angola’s main airport, turned up last week in Guinea.

The plane was feared to be in the hands of international terrorists. It was spotted late last month in Conakry, Guinea’s capital, by Bob Strother, a Canadian pilot.

It had been re-sprayed and given the Guinean registration, 3XGOM. But, at least the last two letters of its former tail-number, N844AA, were still visible.

The plane was being used to shuttle goods between Beirut and Conakry, according to Mr Strother.

"There’s no absolutely doubt it’s the same aircraft. The old registration is clearly visible," said Mr Strother. "

http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/international.cfm?id=737812003