South Korean KF-16 fighter crashes during Red Flag-Alaska military exercise, both pilots eject
The South Korean fighter jet is a domestically produced variant of the
US F-16 fighting Falcon
. The two-seater plane was taking off for a sortie as part of a multinational air combat drill when the two pilots ejected following an emergency.
According to the
South Korean Air Force
statement, the KF-16's landing gear malfunctioned during the take-off forcing the pilots to ditch the aircraft and pull the ejection seat.
"Take-off and landing are when fighter jets are most vulnerable to accidents. That the pilots survived speaks to the strength of their training," a South Korean Air Force officer who did not wish to be identified told The Chosun Daily website.
US military organises the Red Flag-Alaska under its Pacific Air Force command four times in a year. The 10-day air combat training exercise involves joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment.
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South Korea has sent 11 aircraft and about 100 defence officials to take part in the military exercise. The South Korean planes include KF-16 fighters and KC-330 aerial refuelling tankers.
A total of 10 KF-16 fighter jets have crashed since the aircraft first joined the South Korean Air Force in 1999. Two of the KF-16s have crashed in March and April 2025.
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