An F-16 assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Ariz., crashed around 8:45 a.m. Thursday morning near Bagdad, Ariz., about 100 miles north of the base. Local officials located the crash site late Thursday afternoon and officials are working to access and secure the site, according to an updated Luke release. The pilot’s status is unknown due to the remote location and rugged terrain, according to a Luke statement. Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, commander of the 56th FW, has convened an interim safety board to investigate the crash. The 56th Fighter Wing at Luke is responsible for pilot training on both the F-16 and F-35.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…