Six airmen from the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing were sent to the hospital Aug. 25 after being exposed to chemicals from an F-16’s emergency power system. The airmen were working on the aircraft at about 2:30 p.m. at the Atlantic City International Airport when a line ruptured, according to the Press of Atlantic City. The airmen were taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center as a precaution because of possible exposure to a hydrazine byproduct, the Press reported.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.