[Source/Observer Network, Wang Shih-ping] A South Korean military aircraft has been involved in another accident. According to Yonhap News Agency's report on June 11th, the South Korean Air Force disclosed that at 9:02 AM Beijing time, a KF-16 fighter jet participating in the "Red Flag 25-2" exercise in Alaska suffered an accident while taxiing for takeoff at Eielson Air Base and was damaged. Both pilots ejected safely.

The South Korean Air Force confirmed that this is a twin-seat KF-16 fighter jet. The two pilots who ejected are safe and are currently being transported to a nearby hospital.

The extent of the aircraft's damage has not been specifically disclosed, but it is reported that a fire occurred. According to photos released by South Korean media, the KF-16 fighter jet encountered an accident on the runway. It appears that the front landing gear broke, causing the nose to hit the ground and deform, with smoke possibly coming from the fuselage. The South Korean military is working with U.S. forces to understand the details of the incident and the extent of the damage.

Accident site of the KF-16 fighter jet, Yonhap News Agency

Previously, the South Korean Air Force confirmed that South Korean forces would participate in the "Red Flag Alaska 25-2" (Red Flag-Alaska 25-2) aerial joint exercise held at the U.S. base in Alaska from June 12th to June 27th.

The "Red Flag-Alaska" series of joint exercises is a multinational air combat exercise led by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Air Command. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command previously stated that over 70 types of aircraft and approximately 1,500 personnel will participate in the "Red Flag-Alaska 25-2" joint exercise. In addition to the Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Base in Alaska, nearby Eielson Air Base will also be used for the exercise.

Similar to traditional "Red Flag" series exercises, U.S. and allied aircraft will alternate as adversaries during this joint exercise, conducting high-intensity combat drills to enhance the participants' experience in inter-type confrontation and thereby strengthen multinational joint defense capabilities.

Japanese F-15DJ fighters preparing to take off for Red Flag 25-2演习 at Naha Base, Japan Self-Defense Forces

In addition to South Korean forces, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force also dispatched six F-15J/DJ fighters from the 9th Air Wing at Naha Base, one E-767 airborne early warning aircraft from the Surveillance Aviation Group at Hamamatsu Base, and two C-130 transport aircraft from the 1st Transport Aviation Squadron at Komaki Base to participate in the exercise.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514508219390575145/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Please express your opinions by voting "up" or "down" below.