U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs
Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Southwest Asia
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq – A U.S. Air Force F-16 deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing crashed on base during takeoff at 4:55 p.m. today.
The pilot of the single-seat aircraft ejected safely and was transported to the Air Force Theater Hospital for evaluation.
The aircraft was flying on a combat mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing close air support to ground forces fighting anti-Iraq forces.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.