Officials are investigating the cause of last week’s crash of an F-16C from the California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno. The F-16 went down in the California desert on Dec. 27 during a routine mission. The pilot safely ejected, was taken to a local medical facility, but then released on that same day, wing spokesman SMSgt. Chris Drudge told the Daily Report on Jan. 3. Fresno’s KMPH TV New Station 26 reported that the pilot encountered trouble with the fighter while flying at 12,000 feet in altitude. Drudge said the wing held an internal safety standdown on the day after the mishap, except for the unit’s F-16s on alert to protect US skies from unauthorized intrusion.
One Airman was killed and three others injured in a vehicle mishap at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., on June 29. Additionally, two first responder Airmen sustained injuries responding to the incident. All five injured Airmen have been transported to nearby medical facilities, according to a release from the base.