F-16 Down in the Yellow Sea, Ejection

[Lonewolf_50]

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/us-f-16-crashes-into-yellow-sea-off-south-korea-yonhap-says/

It's early, but it looks like an F-16 is down but the pilot got out. A U.S. F-16 fighter appears to have crashed into Yellow Sea waters off the coast of South Korea, stoking safety concerns after eight U.S. airmen were killed last month in the crash of an Osprey aircraft near a Japanese island.

The F-16 crashed into the sea Monday after taking off at about 9 a.m. from Gunsan, some 180 kilometers (110 miles) south of Seoul, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing sources it did not identify. The pilot ejected and was conscious after being rescued from the sea, it said.
U.S. Forces Korea did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The rest of the article drones on about the downed CV-22/ Osprey, since they had to fill column inches and are tasteless ghouls.

[SLXOwft]

According to Stars and Stripes (https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-12-10/air-force-f16-crash-south-korea-12320296.html) the pilot did eject safely and was recovered by a South Korean AF helicopter

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed Monday morning off South Korea’s western coast, according to the 8th Fighter Wing.

The fighter from Kunsan Air Base was flying over the Yellow Sea when it experienced an in-flight emergency at 8:43 a.m., the wing said in a news release Monday.

The pilot ejected and was rescued at sea by the South Korean navy and coast guard, 7th Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Rachel Buitrago told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday.

A South Korean air force helicopter airlifted the pilot to Kunsan, she added.

The pilot is awake and in stable condition, according to the news release.

“We are grateful for the safe recovery of our airman by our [South Korean] allies and that the pilot is in good condition,” wing commander Col. Matthew Gaetke said in the release.

No further details on the crash were provided; however, the wing’s release said “the incident will be thoroughly investigated.”