ONE PERSON HAS been confirmed dead after a US fighter jet crashed after taking off from a base in Suffolk.
The F-18 fighter came down after departing from RAF Lakenheath at around 10.30am this morning. The Marine Corps confirmed that the pilot died in the incident, adding that it is not known if they ejected from the single-seat aircraft.
The aircraft belonged to Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 232, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
A police spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that emergency services were at the scene and one fatality was confirmed.
In a statement, RAF Mildenhall said:
The aircraft was transiting from Bahrain to Miramar in a flight of six aircraft when it crashed approximately six miles northwest of the airfield. The remaining five F/A-18C’s safely diverted to RAF Lossiemouth. The United Kingdom Coast Guard is currently on the scene of the crash site and is in close coordination with US military officials. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the pilot. The cause of the crash is still unknown.
The US Navy single-seat F/A-18 Hornet had taken off from RAF Lakenheath airforce base in Suffolk but was not reported to be linked to the facility.
Amateur aviation enthusiast Roger Smith told the BBC that the plane was part of the Hornet Marine Corps and was flying back to the US from the Middle East having arrived at Lakenheath over the weekend.
- With reporting from AFP.
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