US JET DOWNS IRAQI FIGHTER

A US Air Force jet shot down one of two Iraqi fighter jets it encountered early Wednesday over northern Iraq, a US military spokesman said. Lt. Comdr. Dave Knox said one of two Iraqi SU-22 Fitter jets "was shot down at approximately 1:50 p.m. Iraqi time in the vicinity of Takrit in northern Iraq. The other fighter aircraft landed on its own after the engagement."

Both Iraqi aircraft "were detected by an AWACS aircraft, and two Air Force F-15 fighters were directed to visually identify the fighters before engagement."

Commander Knox said that the Iraqis "attempted to fly these two ... aircraft in violation of terms agreed upon with Iraqi military officials during military-to-military talks ... on March 3."