A pilot with the U.S. Air Force died when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed Sunday night while conducting a mission for Operation Inherent Resolve, according to Stars and Stripes.
Military officials would not say which country in the Middle East the crash took place, only to say it was not in Iraq or Syria.
Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren told reporters the plane when down when it was returning to base.
“Apparently there were some maintenance problems on takeoff. It turned around and unfortunately was not able to land.”
NBC News is reporting the air base to which the pilot was attempting to return is in Jordan.
An Air Force investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. Officials have not yet released the name of the pilot.
