A Wisconsin Air
National Guard F-16 pilot is dead after a fighter jet crash in Michigan
A Wisconsin
National Guard F-16 fighter jet crashed in Michigan during a routine
training flight Tuesday night, the Guard said in a Facebook post.
The Guard's 115th
Fighter Wing announced Thursday afternoon that the pilot, who was initially
missing after the crash, had died.
A Wisconsin Air
National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
during a routine training flight Tuesday evening. The pilot's death was
announced Thursday afternoon.
The fighter jet,
which went down around 8 p.m. Tuesday in Delta County, Michigan, was
assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax Field Air National Guard Base
in Madison, Wisconsin.
"The cause of
the crash, as well as the status of the pilot, are unknown at this time,
and the incident is under investigation," the Wisconsin National Guard
said in the immediate aftermath.
On Thursday, the
115th Fighter Wing announced that the pilot, who was initially missing
after the crash, had died. The pilot's identity is being withheld for 24
hours, during which time next of kin will be notified.
"We are
deeply saddened by this tragic loss; our thoughts and prayers are with the
family during this difficult time," 115th Fighter Wing commander Col.
Bart Van Roo said in a statement. "Today is a day for mourning, the
115th Fighter Wing and the entire Wisconsin National Guard stands with the
pilot's family as we grieve the loss of a great Airman, and patriot."
"We are an
extremely close knit group at the fighter wing, the loss of one of our own
brings immeasurable sadness to every member of our organization," he
added.
The US military
has seen a handful of F-16 crashes this year, some of which have been
deadly.
In mid-July, a US
Air Force F-16C Viper crashed while landing at Holloman Air Force base in
New Mexico. The pilot of the single-seat aircraft was able to eject
successfully and sustained only minor injuries.
In June, an Air
Force F-16CM Fighting Falcon crashed during a late-night flight at Shaw Air
Force Base in South Carolina. The pilot, 1st Lt. David Schmitz, died after
being taken to a local hospital.
In November last
year, Air Force Magazine reported that the Air Force said that it had seen
no data pointing to any safety issues with the fighter aircraft, despite a
string of F-16 crashes over the years.
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