Pilot killed in Middle East F-16 crash

Published December 01, 2014

U.S. Central Command

TAMPA, Fla. (AFNS) -- A U.S. Air Force pilot was killed when an F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in a noncombat-related incident Nov. 30 at approximately 11 p.m. EST. The aircraft was returning to its base in the Middle East shortly after take-off. The crash did not occur in Iraq or Syria.

First responders remain on the scene. The cause of the incident is under investigation. It is the U.S. military's policy to defer identification for 24 hours to allow for notification of next-of-kin. Additional details will be released when they become available.