Crews at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, are searching for an F-16 and its pilot after the base lost contact with the aircraft Thursday morning.
At about 9:15 a.m., the F-16, flying about 70 miles south of the base on a training mission, lost contact with the tower.
After the contact was lost, crews were immediately dispatch to search the area.
“The rescue of our airman is our top priority,” Col. Mark O’Laughlin, 325th Fighter Wing vice commander, said in a statement. “We want to assure the family and friends of the missing pilot that we are doing everything we can for this effort.”
The F-16 is assigned to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, which is upgrading to the optionally manned QF-16 targeting drone.
