US F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes in S. Korea During Training Exercise: Yonhap

During a training exercise in South Korea, a US F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday, as reported by Yonhap news agency. The incident occurred after the jet took off from an air base in Gunsan, located 178 kilometers (110 miles) south of Seoul, and crashed into the waters of the Yellow Sea. The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and was subsequently rescued.

The South Korean defense ministry refrained from providing comments on the matter, and United States Forces Korea, responsible for overseeing American soldiers in the region, was not immediately available to confirm the report.

This incident follows a similar event in May when another US F-16 crashed during a routine training exercise in a farming area south of Seoul. In that instance, the pilot ejected safely, and there were no additional casualties.

The United States maintains a significant military presence in South Korea, with approximately 28,500 troops stationed to bolster the country security against the nuclear-armed North Korea. Meanwhile, in neighboring Japan, the US military recently grounded its fleet of V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft following a tragic crash that resulted in the loss of eight US airmen.