F-16 fighter pilot killed in Middle East crash

WASHINGTON — A fighter pilot was killed late Sunday night in the Middle East when his F-16 crashed in a non-combat accident, according to the U.S. Central Command.

The Central Command statement did not say where the crash occurred, but noted that it did not occur in Iraq or Syria where the U.S.-led coalition has been pounding Islamic State, or ISIS, targets since August. It is the first fatal crash of the air war there.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, and the pilot's name is not being released until relatives are notified.

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