Air Force pilot killed participating in Operation Inherent Resolve
By Jon Harper
Stars and Stripes
Published: December 1, 2014
WASHINGTON — A U.S. Air Force pilot taking part in Operation Inherent Resolve was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed due to maintenance problems, according to the Pentagon.
The crash occurred late Sunday Washington time.
The Defense Department is calling it a “noncombat-related incident”, but acknowledged the aircraft was on its way to Iraq or Syria to participate in ongoing operations against the Islamic State when things went wrong.
“The aircraft was returning to its base in the Middle East” when the crash occurred, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said. “Apparently there were some maintenance problems on takeoff. It turned around and unfortunately was not able to land.”
No one was injured beside the pilot, according to Warren.
First responders remain on the scene and the cause of the crash is under investigation, he said.
It was unclear Monday why the pilot was unable to eject before the aircraft crashed, Warren said.
The name of the pilot will not be released until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.
The crash did not occur in Iraq or Syria, Warren noted. He declined to identify which country the pilot and aircraft were stationed in due to host nation sensitivities.
The pilot’s death constitutes the third U.S. military fatality from Operation Inherent Resolve. On Oct. 23, Marine Lance Cpl. Sean Neal died in Iraq from a noncombat related injury. On Oct. 1, Marine Cpl. Jordan Spears was lost at sea while conducting flight operations in the North Arabian Gulf.
http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/air-force-pilot-killed-participating-in-operation-inherent-resolve-1.316758
