U.S. fighter jet crashes in Libya

U.S. fighter jet crashes in Libya

2011-03-22 21:53:51 GMT+7 (ICT)

BENGHAZI, LIBYA (BNO NEWS) -- A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in the northeastern region of Libya, but the two crew members were able to eject safely, officials said Tuesday.

The U.S. Air Force confirmed that the aircraft had experienced equipment malfunction while flying over northeast, Libya on Monday at approximately 10:30 p.m. CET. The fighter jet was later found near Benghazi.

The aircraft, based out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, was flying out of Aviano Air Base in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn at the time of the incident.

The cause of the incident is under investigation, and no further details were available.

The crew members will be identified after their families have been notified.

Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution1973, which authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Qadhafi regime forces.

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