| PersonID | 19884615 |
| Name | Sweet, Robert J. |
| Branch | U.S. Air Force |
| Current Status | Retired |
| Graduation | 1988 |
| Squadron | CS 34 |
| Home Town | Philadelphia |
| Home State | PA |
| High School | |
| High School Activities | |
| Post High School | |
| Academy Experiences | |
| Academic Degree Major | 1988 - BS Electrical Engineering - USAFA |
| Active Duty Assignments Before Capture | Pilot Training, Columbus AFB,
USAF Fighter Weapons School,
Pilot, A-10, 353 TFSq, Myrtle Beach AFB |
| Capture Conflict | Desert
Storm |
| Combat Information | A-10 pilot, 354 TFW from Myrtle Beach AFB.
Earlier in the day of the mission and A-10 limped home with 300+
holes in the tail area from an SA-13 fired by gunners SW of the Area
Phillis (flight lead) and Sweet (wingman) were going |
| Capture Mission | Crossed Kuwaiti northern border around 1500 to attack Madinah
Republican Guards Division 75 nm North. Dropped cluster bombs
on tanks and trucks and then made a strafing pass with 30 mm
gun. Sweet hit by hand-held SA-13 Gopher SAM blowing off right
wing aileron and flap. Aircraft on fire and after 90 seconds went
out of control. Sweet ejected at 6,000 feet. In chute for several
minutes with Iraqi's firing at him. Landed 30 yards from T-72 tank
that was one of his targets. Beaten, broke an eardrum, and roughed
up until officers arrived and taken to POW camp. |
| MIA Information and Dates | Was carried as MIA for the entire period of 2/15-3/6. However
upon release status for the entire period was changed to POW. |
| Capture Date | 2/15/1991 |
| POW Locations and Dates | Apparently held in an intelligence complex at Basra |
| Release Date | 3/6/1991 |
| Rank at Capture | 1st Lt |
| Rank at Release | 1st Lt |
| Military and Civilian Jobs after Release | Pilot - 90-92 - 355 TFS Myrtle Beach AFB,
Pilot - 92-93 - Osan AB SK,
Pilot - 93-97 - Pope AFB,
Pilot - 97-02 - Randolph AFB,
Pilot - 02-04 - Moody AFB |
| Burial Site | N/A |
| Aeronautical Speciality Rating | Pilot |
| Notable Military & Civilian Decorations & Awards | Purple Heart, 4 Air Medals, 5 Aerial Achiement Medals, 3 AFCM, 1
ArAM |
| Comments | Retired as Air Force Lt Col 1/1/2010 |
