F-16 crashes during training in Nevada, pilot missing

An Air Force pilot is missing after their F-16 crashed Wednesday morning outside of Las Vegas, according to a service statement.

The pilot, assigned to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, “crashed at approximately 10:30 am during routine training on the Nevada Test and Training Range,” the statement said.

“The condition of the pilot is unknown at this time. Emergency responders are on the scene.”

The crash comes a day after a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crash in southern California that is suspected to have killed all four Marine Corps crew members on board.

The incident happened about 2:35 p.m. during a routine training mission near El Centro, a town by the U.S. border with Mexico, according to a Marine Corps statement.

“The status of all four is presumed dead pending positive identification,” the statement said.

President Trump on Wednesday tweeted his support for the crash victims and their families.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the four U.S. Marines from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing who lost their lives in yesterday’s Southern California helicopter crash. We pray for their families, and our great @USMC,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

A separate Marine CH-53 helicopter was damaged late Tuesday while participating in the Alligator Dagger training exercise in international waters off the coast of Djibouti. The aircraft was damaged as it landed in the east African country, but no crew members were injured, CNN reported.

The aircraft “sustained minor structural damage pending further assessment,” U.S. Naval Forces Central Command spokesman Cmdr. Bill Urban told CNN.

Also in Djibouti on Tuesday, a Marine pilot had to eject from an AV-8B Harrier jet during takeoff from Djibouti Ambouli International Airport.

The pilot was injured in the incident, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said in a statement.