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Guam crash for B-2 stealth bomber Guam crash for B-2 stealth bomber
(20 minutes later)
A US B-2 stealth bomber has crashed on the Pacific island of Guam, a US territory 6,000 km (3,700 miles) south-west of Hawaii. A US B-2 stealth bomber - one of the world's most expensive planes - has crashed for the first time on the Pacific island of Guam.
The jet crashed shortly after taking off from the island's Andersen Air Force Base, but both pilots ejected and survived, the US Air Force said. The jet crashed shortly after taking off from the island's Andersen Air Force Base, but both pilots ejected and survived, the US Air Force (USAF) said.
Black smoke could be seen billowing from the site, witnesses said.Black smoke could be seen billowing from the site, witnesses said.
The US has 21 B-2 planes, each costing $1.2 bn and capable of deploying both conventional and nuclear weapons. The B-2 bomber costs $1.2 bn and is capable of deploying both conventional and nuclear weapons.
Crowds gathered as emergency vehicles attended the scene after the crash, which happened around 1045 local time (0045 GMT).Crowds gathered as emergency vehicles attended the scene after the crash, which happened around 1045 local time (0045 GMT).
The US Air Force said both pilots had been medically evaluated and were "in good condition".
No mission detailsNo mission details
A board of officers will investigate the causes of the incident, thought to have been the first peacetime crash for one of the USAF's prized stealth bombers. Both pilots had been medically evaluated and were "in good condition", the USAF said.
The Air Force did not provide details of the bomber's mission in Guam. B-2 bombers have seen service in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/2551685.stm">Fact file: B-2 stealth bomber
All 21 B-2 stealth bombers are based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, but several have been rotated through Guam since 2004. A board of officers will investigate the causes of the incident.
The craft have been used for missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Serbia. A brief USAF statement did not provide details of the bomber's mission in Guam, a US territory 6,000 km (3,700 miles) south-west of Hawaii.
The USAF has 21 B-2 bombers based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, but several have been rotated through Guam since 2004.
The craft have been used for missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.
Able to fly 6,000 nautical miles (11,100 kilometres) without refuelling, the B-2 can evade most radar signals making it difficult for defensive systems to detect, track and attack.Able to fly 6,000 nautical miles (11,100 kilometres) without refuelling, the B-2 can evade most radar signals making it difficult for defensive systems to detect, track and attack.