One pilot has died after an Air Force T-38 Talon crashed Monday afternoon about 14 miles northwest of Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, officials said.
A second pilot was taken to the Val Verde Regional Medical Center.
Laughlin Air Force Base and local emergency responders remained at the scene of the crash Monday night.
The names of the pilots are being withheld until their families are notified.
“Our biggest priority at this time is caring for the family and friends of our airmen,” said Col. Michelle Pryor, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander, in a statement. “We are a close knit family, and when a tragedy like this occurs, every member of the U.S. armed forces feels it. Our people take top priority, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and security.”
The plane went down near Spur 454 and U.S. 90 in Del Rio, Texas, officials said. The aircraft was assigned to Laughlin Air Force Base.
On Monday evening, Air Force officials said Laughlin emergency response personnel and local responders were on the scene to assist in recovery efforts.
The T-38 is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer, and it is primarily used in the Air Force by Air Education and Training Command for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration also use the T-38 in various roles, according to the Air Force.
This is a breaking story. It will be updated as more information is available.
