U.S. Air Force pilot killed

  • Published
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) --  A U.S. Air Force pilot was killed June 14 when his F-16 crashed approximately 35 miles north of Baghdad during takeoff for a close-air support mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Shortly after the aircraft was reported missing, a joint effort by coalition air and ground forces responded to secure the crash site. Evidence recovered was used to determine the status of the pilot. 

The name of the pilot is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.
An investigation board is reviewing the evidence related to the crash to determine the cause of the accident. 

The F-16 was deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq. 

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