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.
Update: (AP) An F-15 fighter jet crashed during training over the Nevada desert Wednesday, killing one pilot and injuring another.
The two-seater F-15D Eagle went down in the vast Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas, according to a statement released by Nellis Air Force Base officials.
One pilot was declared dead shortly after the crash. The second was in stable condition at the base hospital, base spokesman Andrew Dumboski said.
Both pilots were assigned to the 65th Aggressor Squadron, which simulates enemy forces in air combat training exercises regularly held at Nellis. The Air Force base is about 10 miles north of Las Vegas.
The names of the two pilots were not immediately released.
The F-15D Eagle is primarily used for tactical missions and costs $29.9 million, according to Air Force figures.
Link to crash site photos can be found at the top-right, under: TOPICAL LINKS
VIDEO: RED FLAG F-15 AGGRESSOR LAUNCH/ 7-26-08
SOURCE:NELLISPSOTTERS>COM
Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag
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