'The Proof Is Out There: Military Mysteries' Episode 1 sheds light on Pilot LCDR Scott Speicher's tragic fate
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: History Channel has brought a new show, 'The Proof Is Out There: Military Mysteries', promising to shed light on some of the most perplexing military enigmas of our time.
Premiered on April 22, 2024, the show puts together a formidable team: Ronnie Adkins, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst with expertise in uncovering military deception, and Rudy Reyes, a highly decorated Marine Corps Reconnaissance veteran.
Combining Adkins' knowledge of information operations and Reyes' extensive combat experience, the duo is perfectly equipped to tackle these historical mysteries. 'The Proof is Out There' dives deep into mysteries from across the modern era of warfare, spanning World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf War, all the way to conflicts of the 21st century.
Episode 1 features the assassinations caught on camera, exploding battleships, ghost planes, vanished soldiers, and more. The show promises to dissect propaganda hoaxes, analyze alleged cover-ups and conspiracies, and ultimately lift the veil of secrecy on these lingering mysteries.
However, one thing that stands out from the whole episode is 'What happened to Pilot LCDR Michael Scott Speicher?' a Pilot whose life vanished amidst mysterious circumstances.
Who was Michael Scott Speicher?
Michael Scott Speicher, born in 1957, followed his WWII fighter pilot father's footsteps. After graduating from Florida State and marrying Joanne, he joined the Navy. Speicher became a skilled aviator, flying the A-7 Corsair and F/A-18 Hornet.
By 1991, Lieutenant Commander Speicher was stationed in Florida with Strike Fighter Squadron 81. Tragically, his life would be cut short during this deployment.
Scott Speicher was a U.S. Navy pilot tragically caught in the first military casualty of the Gulf War. In 1991, his F/A-18 Hornet was shot down over Iraq. Though initially presumed lost at sea, his fate remained a mystery for nearly two decades.
Featured on the History Channel's 'The Proof is Out There: Military Mysteries,' Speicher's story exemplifies the program's focus on unraveling perplexing military enigmas.
What happened to Michael Scott Speicher?
On January 17, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, Michael Scott Speicher, flying a F/A-18 Hornet fighter, was shot down by Iraqi Air Force aircraft 100 miles west of Baghdad.
His plane crashed in Tulul ad Dulaym, a remote wasteland, marking the first combat casualty for American forces in the war. The U.S. Navy initially attributed his downing to a surface-to-air missile, but a CIA report suggested it was a missile fired from an Iraqi aircraft, likely a MiG-25.
Speicher's aircraft experienced a catastrophic event at 28,000 feet, traveling at 0.92 Mach, after being hit by the missile, throwing it off course by 50 to 60 degrees. As per the Florida Times-Union, evidence suggests Speicher's plane was downed by an Iraqi MiG, challenging official narratives surrounding his fate.
Michael Scott Speicher's fate takes dramatic turns
After his plane was shot down in 1991, Michael Scott Speicher's odyssey became a saga of hope and unanswered questions. Initially listed as Missing in Action (MIA), his status changed to Killed in Action (KIA) with no recovered body. Yet, evidence from the wreckage and Bedouin nomads hinted at a possible ejection.
Years of investigation saw Speicher's case gain national attention. The discovery of flight suit parts and potential E&E signals fueled theories he survived. The Pentagon faced criticism for withholding information, while rumors of Speicher's captivity swirled.
By 2001, a landmark decision saw his status revert to MIA, a first for the DoD. Promotions followed, along with speculation about his condition in captivity. President Bush even mentioned Speicher in a speech advocating for the Iraq War.
The 2003 invasion intensified the search. Possible initials and a document listing his name ignited hope, but DNA tests proved inconclusive. As the US gained control in Iraq, the likelihood of capture dwindled. In 2009, after a review board and family concerns, Speicher's status shifted back to MIA however after some time his remains were found in Iraq. The mystery of what happened to him remains unsolved.
'The Proof Is Out There: Military Mysteries' trailer
'The Proof Is Out There: Military Mysteries' is available to follow on History TV