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US fighter pilot dies after crash | US fighter pilot dies after crash |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A US military pilot has died after an accident involving two F-15C fighter jets which were training in the Gulf of Mexico, the air force says. | |
Both men were able to eject and were picked up during a rescue operation off the Florida panhandle, but one of the unnamed pilots later died. | |
The surviving pilot is said to be in good condition. | |
The planes are believed to have collided while practising basic manoeuvres on Wednesday afternoon. | |
The weather was clear. | |
'Great loss' | |
The Eglin air force base in Florida had suffered "a great loss", said Col Tom Harmer, commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, 58th Fighter Squad, in a statement. | |
"My heart foes out to the family and friends of our fallen airman." | |
Both pilots had substantial experience, Col Harmer said. | |
The US temporarily grounded F-15C jets after one failed while training in Missouri last November. | |
Most were back in service by January, but others have been grounded indefinitely after defects were found. | Most were back in service by January, but others have been grounded indefinitely after defects were found. |