[crazypilot]

A U.S. Air Force fighter jet crashed, killing one and injuring another. The plane went down around 11:30 a.m. today, 50 miles east of Goldfield, Nevada. Officials say the jet was part of the 65th Aggressor Squadron and was taking part in Red Flag exercises.

The plane took off this morning from Nellis Air Force Base and went down about 180 miles away in a remote area near the Nye/Esmeralda County line.

Learn More About The New Aggressors

Eyewitness News has been told the plane is camoflauge. It's a U.S. Air Force F-15 D Eagle, taking part in a combat training mission as part of Red Flag exercises. Two people were on board. The air force says one person has died.

Another pilot from the aircraft was transported to Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital at 1:30 pm. The second pilot is under observation and in stable condition.

Red Flag is a combat training exercise that involves the air forces of the United States and its allies. Click here for information on who is taking part in the exercises.

Typically what happens, the Blue forces are the friendly forces. The Red forces are the hostile forces and they take on one another to train for real combat situations.

We're not sure what wrong this morning near Goldfield, Nevada, but again one person dead -- another hospitalized. Their names or nationalities for that matter are not being released at this time.

The Air Force says a board of officials is being convened to investigate. A formal news briefing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/global/story.asp?s=8762888


I'm a jet engine mechanic on the F15 & F16 jets here at Nellis so I'm really hoping it's not engine related. However my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these Airmen.

 

[OgenRwot]

So someone on the ground was killed? From the press release it looks like both airmen were treated, one released, one held, that means that someone else was killed. Any more info on this yet?

 

[crazypilot]

I just realized that story wasn't updated. The pilot was killed and the other is on the hospital.
This is from Fox 5 News:

http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/17042660/detail.html

LAS VEGAS -- A pilot from Nellis Air Force Base has died following the crash of a U.S. Air Force F-15D Eagle two-seater jet, Nellis Air Force Base officials said.

Another pilot from the aircraft was transported to Mike O’Callaghan Federal Hospital at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The second pilot is under observation and in stable condition, officials said.

The crash occurred on the Nevada Test and Training Range about 50 miles east of Goldfield, Nev., said Charles Ramey of Nellis Air Force Base.

He said the crash occurred about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday as the jet was taking part in an Exercise Red Flag combat training mission.

Both pilots were assigned to the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, whose mission is to simulate opposing enemy air forces during Red Flag exercises.

The names of the pilots involved are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A board of military officials is being convened to investigate the crash. The board will include a senior pilot, a maintenance expert, a flight surgeon, a judge advocate and any other needed specialist. The board president will release a report on the board's findings following their investigation.

 

[OgenRwot]

That sucks so bad. Prayers to the families and those at Nellis who are affected. At least he died doing what he loved, not many can say that. I lost a friend at Sheppard in May and that's all anyone could say, he died doing what he loved, flying jets for the USAF.

 

[b52ace]

Thoughts and prayers w/ both families and the unit involved. It's tough to lose a squadron mate.

 

[Waterwagonboom]

High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings,
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

RIP.