[sornaensis]

Yes, the same flight plans, routes and timetables, were re-used, so when spotters saw the aircraft take off they had a very good idea of where it would come from.

The shoot down also involved the SAM radar operator violating his own SOP by leaving his radar on longer than they normally do, and firing at a non-PID contact, because they _knew_ the aircraft was going to be there.

Complacency kills.

[michaelcampbell]

> saw the aircraft take off they had a very good idea of where it would come from.

Wait, what? If they saw the aircraft take off, they definitely knew where it came from, no?

[tablespoon]

> non-PID contact

What is that, exactly?

[jack_riminton]

Positively Identified. Western forces have many safeguards in place to only shoot at PID targets because the cost of 'blue-on-blue' is so destructive for morale

[sundvor]

Not having a positive ID, I reckon.