An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 15, 2009

Louisiana Air National Guard intercepts plane flown by Marcus Schrenker

By Capt. Beverly G. Couto Louisiana National Guard

BELLE CHASSE, La. - Two Louisiana Air National Guard pilots intercepted the airplane used by Marcus Schrenker in what is now being called an attempt to fake his death. Maj. Matt Rippen and Capt. Josh Fogle, both with the 159th Fighter Wing, were manning their alert mission in Belle Chasse, La., when they got the call.

"This is just one part of our mission which includes homeland defense," said Rippen. "We have conducted many intercepts with the situation usually being one of someone accidentally flying off course or perhaps being on the wrong frequency," he said, and added that they were surprised to find the plane pilotless.

Sunday evening the two pilots were assigned to fly out and find an airplane which had previously made a distress call to the Federal Aviation Administration and then went silent. When they arrived, the airplane was still in the air headed toward the Gulf of Mexico. With Rippen flying above and Fogle flying next to the plane, they "shadowed" the aircraft until it impacted the ground. Fogle was then able to direct local authorities to the crash site to recover the plane and try to locate the pilot.

The 159th is tasked to provide air superiority over Louisiana and the Gulf Coast while supporting the North American Aerospace Defense Command. To fulfill this mission requires air defense alert 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Rippen joined the Louisiana Air National Guard in August 2005. He has been assigned as a flight commander and alert operations officer and is now the 159th safety officer. He has flown F-15s for 12 years with more than 1,100 flight hours.

Fogle is an active-duty pilot who has been assigned to the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th since August 2007. He has flown F-15s for six years and more than 700 flight hours.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...