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T-38 Talon Crashes in Texas; Pilot Dead, Another Injured

Military.com | 21 Nov 2017 | by Oriana Pawlyk

A U.S. Air Force trainer jet crashed in Texas late Monday afternoon, killing one pilot and injuring another, the service said.

The T-38 Talon, assigned to Laughlin Air Force Base, crashed at approximately 4:00 p.m. local time roughly 15 miles northwest of the base in Del Rio, Texas, the base said in a release Monday.

One pilot is dead and one was transferred to Val Verde Regional Medical Center, according to a separate statement released later in the evening. The names of the airmen weren't released.

"Our biggest priority at this time is caring for the family and friends of our Airmen," Col. Michelle Pryor, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander, said in the statement.

"We are a close knit family, and when a tragedy like this occurs every member of the U.S. Armed Forces feels it," she added. "Our people take top priority, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and security."

Witnesses reported seeing a parachute and pilot descending to the ground.

Laughlin emergency response personnel and local responders were on scene to assist in recovery efforts.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The twin-engine, high-altitude T-38 trains pilots preparing to fly in fighter and attack aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-22 Raptor, as well as the B-1B Lancer.

The service plans to replace the Northrop Grumman Corp.-made, two-seater T-38 over the next few years, with hopes of buying 350 new aircraft at a time when the service needs to replenish its fighter pilot ranks.

In December, the service launched a potential $16 billion competition to build a replacement T-38, which entered service in 1961. Firms publicly competing for the contract -- known as the T-X program -- include Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Leonardo S.p.A.

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Media Release - Downed aircraft in Del Rio
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs / Published November 20, 2017

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

An Air Force T-38 Talon assigned here at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, crashed at approximately 4 p.m. today approximately 14 miles northwest of the base near Spur 454 and U.S. 90 in Del Rio, Texas.

At the time of release, Laughlin emergency response personnel and local responders were on scene to assist in recovery efforts.

A board of officers will investigate the accident.

Additional details will be provided as information becomes available.

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