A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter jet crashed at approximately 9:40 am local time today in the North Sea.
UPDATE: RAF Lakenheath tweeted at 11:46 a.m. EST saying that search crews located the wreckage of the crashed fighter jet, but the pilot still remains missing.
“UPDATE: Search efforts by Her Majesty’s Coastguard have located wreckage from the downed F-15C Eagle and recovery efforts are underway. The pilot is still missing, and search and rescue efforts continue,” the base tweeted.
UPDATE: Search efforts by Her Majesty’s Coastguard have located wreckage from the downed F-15C Eagle and recovery efforts are underway. The pilot is still missing, and search and rescue efforts continue.
— RAF Lakenheath (@48FighterWing) June 15, 2020
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The cause of the crash as well as the status of the pilot are unknown at this time. The pilot remains missing and U.K. Search and Rescue have been called to support.
The jet was from the 48th Fighter Wing, also known as “Liberty Wing,” stationed at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. The base is located 80 miles northeast of London.
Col. Will Marshall, 48th Fighter Wing commander, released a video statement saying, “Search and Rescue effort are currently underway, but the pilot of the aircraft is still missing. We will provide updates as they become available, while prioritizing respect and consideration for the pilot’s family.”
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board.
A @usairforce F-15C Eagle crashed at approximately 0940 today in the North Sea. The aircraft was from the 48th Fighter Wing, the aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board. https://t.co/1Psg3N1JCz
— RAF Lakenheath (@48FighterWing) June 15, 2020
On Sunday, RAF Lakenheath had posted a video of its fighter jets flying over the beaches of Normandy.
We’re feeling the need this Sunday. Turn and Burn with our pilots as they execute a missing man formation over the beaches of Normandy!#WeAreLiberty! #DDay76 #ReadyAF pic.twitter.com/5JMp6cSKzP
— RAF Lakenheath (@48FighterWing) June 14, 2020
