A two-seat F-15D fighter crashed yesterday (July 30) at the Nevada Test and Training Range, while participating in a Red Flag training exercise, killing one of the two pilots onboard, Nellis Air Force Base public affairs said in a release. The second pilot was transferred to Mike O’Callaghan Federal Hospital on the grounds of Nellis and was under observation and in stable condition, according to the release. The names of the pilots are being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. The aircraft, assigned to Nellis’ 65th Aggressor Squadron, went down about 50 miles east of Goldfield, Nev., at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time. The pilots were participating in a combat training mission as part of the ongoing Red Flag on the range. The Air Force said it would release additional details as they become available and will convene a board to investigate the mishap.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.