Iraqi pilot killed in F-16 in southeastern Arizona

SAFFORD, Ariz. — Authorities say an Iraqi student pilot was killed when an F-16 jet crashed during a training mission in southeastern Arizona.

First Lt. Lacey Roberts of the Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Wing says the Air Force has activated a team to investigate the crash, which occurred Tuesday about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of Tucson.

The pilot’s identity was not released. His death was the second of an Iraqi pilot flying an F-16 that crashed in Arizona in recent years.

Roberts says the plane belonged to the Iraqi air force and that the routine training mission was being conducted in conjunction with the 162nd Wing, which is based at Tucson International Airport.

Roberts says the U.S. military is training Iraqi pilots to fly F-16s at the request of Iraq’s government.

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