Former Air J plane bombed in Iran

When the Israeli Air Force reported the destruction of Iran’s presidential VIP Airbus A340-300 often dubbed ‘Iran Force One’ during a military strike in Iran in March of this year, the repercussions were felt beyond the Middle East, reaching Kingston, Jamaica.

The long-range jet was once in the fleet of the now-defunct Air Jamaica. And for veteran aircraft pilot Edward Miller, who regularly captained the airplane on flights from Jamaica to London and Manchester in the United Kingdom, news of its demise hit a personal chord.

“When an airline is that small, you develop a connection with the aircraft. In fact, you might find some of us walking and talking to the airplane. We are not crazy,” he told The Gleaner, laughing as he reflected.