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South Carolina F-16s collide during routine night operations.
June 8, 2016 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
Two F-16 fighter jets belonging to the South Carolina Air National Guard crashed above a military operating area near Jefferson County, Georgia. Both pilots of each of the single-seat aircraft ejected safely.
The planes collided mid-air just after 21:15h Tuesday night while performing routine night-flying operations. One pilot was found immediately and a short search took place for the second pilot who was found around 23:00h.
The pilots are part of the 157th Fighter Squadron known as the “Swamp Foxes".
Base Commander Col. Nick Gentile.said the jets were 1993 models that flew in Operation Iraqi Freedom's Shock and Awe campaign.
Officials say a safety board has been activated and the U.S. Air Force will be conducting a detailed safety investigation.
The incident comes only five days after a USAF Thunderbirds F-16 jet crashed in Colorado. That pilot too was saved by the McDonnell-Douglas ACES II ejection seat.
An F-16C from the 157th FS taxis back to its position on the flightline at McEntire JNGB after landing from flying a mission during the Readiness Exercise on April 12th, 2013. [USAF photo by TSgt. Caycee Watson]
The pilots are part of the 157th Fighter Squadron known as the “Swamp Foxes".
Base Commander Col. Nick Gentile.said the jets were 1993 models that flew in Operation Iraqi Freedom's Shock and Awe campaign.
Officials say a safety board has been activated and the U.S. Air Force will be conducting a detailed safety investigation.
The incident comes only five days after a USAF Thunderbirds F-16 jet crashed in Colorado. That pilot too was saved by the McDonnell-Douglas ACES II ejection seat.
Additional images:
157th FS Swamp Fox (J.W. Groenestein collection)
157th FS SCANG 2010 T-wall artwork as seen on August 6, 2010 at JBB. Design painted June/July 2010. [photo by Loader2088]
A mural painted by TSgt. Steven Hubbard with the South Carolina ANG commemorates the 169th FW’s deployment to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, seen on August 5, 2012. [USAF photo by TSgt. Stephen Hudson]
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