Authorities are still searching for an F-15 and its pilot, missing after a crash during a routine training mission Tuesday night (December 8).
The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs confirmed that its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, assigned at the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax Field Air National Guard Base in Madison, had crashed around 8 p.m. Tuesday in Delta County, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The status of the pilot, the lone occupant of the fighter jet, was unknown. It was also unclear how the crash happened, according to the department.
“We are a close knit family and when an incident like this occurs, every member in our organization feels it.”, Col. Bart Van Roo, 115th Fighter Wing commander, said in a statement from the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. “Right now the safety of our pilot along with search and rescue efforts are our top priority, and we will continue to pray for the pilot’s safe return.”
Military personnel told reporters on the scene that the 115th Fighter Wing will provide updates as more information becomes available.
“I was devastated to learn last night that a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard was involved in an F-16 crash in the Upper Peninsula,” Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement. “As search and rescue operations continue, Kathy and I are hoping and praying for the pilot’s safe return. Our hearts go out to pilot’s family as well as the members of the 115th Fighter Wing as they continue working to bring the pilot home.”
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