F-16 CRASHES OVER IRAQ; PILOT SUCCESSFULLY RESCUED
DEPLOYED AIR BASE NEAR IRAQ — A U.S. Air Force F-16CG fighter aircraft crashed at approximately 6:30 a.m. local time today southwest of Baghdad. The aircraft was flying from a forward-deployed air base in Southwest Asia supporting operations in Iraq.
The pilot ejected safely from the single-seat aircraft and was rescued at approximately 7:30 a.m. He was transported to the nearest facility for medical care.
The cause of the incident is unknown at this time and will be investigated.