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On 3 December, an F-14 reconnaissance flight from John F. Kennedy was fired on from Syrian-controlled territory. The following day, a strike force of 28 aircraft was launched from Independence and John F. Kennedy into the Bekaa Valley. During the engagement, two A-6 attack planes were shot down from intense ground fire. Lieutenant Mark Lange, pilot, was killed and Lieutenant Robert Goodman, bombardier-navigator, was taken prisoner. After the attack was complete, photos revealed the strike was a success. In the days following, reconnaissance flights were conducted without incident.
