An F-15E crashed in Southwest Asia on May 3 during a routine training mission, announced Air Forces Central officials. “Both crew members ejected safely,” stated AFCENT’s release. The Strike Eagle was part of an expeditionary contingent deployed to the region from the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home, Idaho. “We are extremely grateful that our Gunfighters are safe,” said Col. Bruce Smith, the wing’s vice commander, in a release. The cause of the incident is under investigation. However, Maj. James Bressendorff, AFCENT spokesman, said in a separate release the mishap “was not due to any hostile fire or insurgent activity.” AFCENT said it would release more details as they became available. (Our initial coverage)
Poor event planning and staffing contributed to a fatal mishap last April at Kadena Air Base, Japan, when rotor wash from an HH-60W helicopter knocked over a Japanese teacher from a Department of Defense Education Activity school attending a public aerial demonstration, according to an Air Force investigation.
