NORTH SEA, ENGLAND – A USAF F-15C Eagle from RAF Lakenheath has crashed in the North Sea this morning. The single-seat fighter jet crashed around 9:30 AM (GMT), about 75 nautical miles off the English coast, near the county of Yorkshire. It’s unclear if the pilot ejected and survived the crash. The pilot is still missing at this time. Search and Rescue (SAR) teams are looking for the pilot.
The F-15 took off from RAF Lakenheath air base in Suffolk – home base of the 48th Fighter Wing – and conducted a routine training mission with a formation of 4 F-15s.
It’s not clear whether the pilot of the F-15 was able to save himself. The British Coast Guard has launched a rescue mission.
“Search and Rescue effort are currently under way, but the pilot and of the aircraft is still missing. We will provide updates as they become available, while prioritizing respect and consideration for the pilot’s family,” USAF Col. Will Marshall – 48th Fighter Wing Commander – said on Twitter:
At this time rescue teams are still looking for the aircraft, which crashed about 75 nautical miles off the English coast near the county of Yorkshire.
The cause of the crash is unknown.
Yesterday a formation flight was made over the beaches of Normandy to remember D-Day, which took place on June 6, 1944:
UPDATE:
☆ The U.S. Air Force announced on Twitter Monday evening at 6:20 PM (GMT) – almost 8 hours after the crash – that the pilot of the crashed F-15C has been found by the British Coastgoard. Unfortunately he did not survive the crash.
☆ “The name of the pilot will not be released until all next of kin notifications have been made,” USAF Col. Will Marshall said on Twitter.
☆ The U.S. Air Force released the name of the F-15 pilot on dvidshub.net and Twitter on Tuesday morning:
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(Head photo: U.S. Air Force / James L. Harper)
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