On Sunday, an F-16 pilot died after his jet crashed while returning to its base in the Middle East. The US Air Force pilot has not yet identified. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the crash did not occur in Iraq or Syria where the US has launched airstrikes to fight ISIS terrorists.
The American pilot died in a non-combat accident after his F-16 jet crash in the Middle East. The Guardian reported the cause of the accident involving the F-16 Fighting Falcon is currently under investigation. And emergency responders were still at the scene.
"A U.S. Air Force pilot was killed when an F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in a non-combat-related incident November 30 at approximately 11 p.m. Eastern," the CENTCOM said through a statement. "The aircraft was returning to its base in the Middle East shortly after take-off. The crash did not occur in Iraq or Syria."
"First responders remain on the scene. The cause of the incident is under investigation," CENTCOM added. "It is the U.S. military's policy to defer identification until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification. Additional details will be released when they become available."
Though the incident is a non-combat related death, Fox News reported the death of the F-16 pilot in the Middle East is still considered as a fatality associated with "Operation Inherent Resolve." US President Barack Obama has authorized CENTCOM to work with ally countries to launch airstrikes in Syria and Iraq as part of a strategy to defeat ISIS militants.
In the Middle East, the United States has several bases supporting aerial efforts against the Islamic State terrorist in the region. For several months, the US-led coalition forces have orchestrating airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic jihadists.
The Islamic State militants have seized large swaths of land in the Middle Eastern nations of Iraq and Syria. The terrorists have also declared an Islamic caliphate in the region.
Meanwhile, the F-16 fighter planes are set to be substituted by the F-35 fighter jets in the coming years. The Los Angeles Times said the implementation has been slowed by technical delays and the unexpected multibillion-dollar costs.
The incident where the F-16 pilot died in the Middle East is considered as the third death associated with the operation and all were non-combat related. However, USA Today said the F-16 fighter plane accident is the first fatal crash since the aerial combat started in the region.
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