Posted on 06/29/2011 7:34:50 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. Air Force on Wednesday said search and rescue efforts were still being conducted for the missing pilot of an F-16 aircraft that crashed Tuesday evening in the state of Nevada.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft took off from Nellis Air Force Base, which is located around 7.1 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada and was conducting air-to-air combat exercises about 150 miles north of the city. At around 5:30 p.m. local time, the aircraft crashed in an area some 20 miles west of Caliente in Nevada's Lincoln County, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
With the U.S. Air Force deploying another helicopter in search of the missing pilot on Wednesday morning, there have now been three choppers working on search and rescue missions.
The incident occurred within the 12,000-square-mile military airspace that surrounds the 3-million-acre range, including 5,000 square miles over public land, Nellis Air Force Base spokesman Chuck Ramey told the media outlet.
However, according to Brigadier General T.J. O'Shaughnessy, commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, search and rescue teams were trying to spot the parachute and pilot in the suspected crash site, which sits beyond the Nevada Test and Training Range. O'Shaughnessy said the aircraft were conducting a 'dogfight' exercise but were not equipped with live weaponry with an active locating device.
Me too — pilots are extremely hearty and intelligent. I hope he is OK and using his skills to hang tough until he is found.
F-16 ping, Jet...
Just not enough info yet.
PJ’s will get him.....hope he is ok.
An air guard F-16 went down here in WI about a week ago, the pilot bailed out OK. Time to check for possible problems.
They’ll find human remains at the crash site. Usually a toe in a boot. Sorry. Prayers up...
Sorry to say, it’s usually bad news when it takes this long to release the status of the pilot. I really want to be wrong here.
Yeah, I want you to be wrong, too.
I know the area well, if he is alive, he won’t be for long in this heat. Over 100 all week.
Prayer sent!
aviation pinglist
It’s been announced that the pilot did not survive the crash. :(
Prayers up for the family of the pilot (and his squadron mates).
"Based on evidence recovered from the crash site, and after extensive aerial and ground search efforts, we know that the pilot did not eject from the aircraft prior to impact," said Brig. Gen. T.J. O'Shaughnessy, the 57th Wing commander. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot's immediate family, Air Force family, and friends during this difficult time."
F-16 Ping.
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