KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (WLTX, AP) — An F-16 pilot from Shaw Air Force Base has died after his fighter jet crashed in Afghanistan.
The pilot’s body has been recovered, and the crash site has been secured. The crash is under investigation, but so far there were no reports of insurgent activity in the area at the time.
Air Force officials at Shaw tell us they will be releasing the information Friday. But sources confirm with News19 the officer involved was a pilot stationed at Shaw Air Force base.
The 77th fighter squadron, known as the Gamblers, is serving a 6-month deployment to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. That group includes pilots, administrative staffers, mechanics and technicians.
The pilots’ primary job in Afghanistan is to provide close-air support for U.S. and coalition troops on the ground.
http://www.wltx.com/news/article/230874/2/F-16-Pilot-From-Shaw-Air-Force-Base-Dies
/johnny
I was in the 77th, back when it was the 77th TFS. Prayers for the family.