ALBAWABA - The U.S. Military said in a statement a U.S. F-16 fighter jet crashed Monday in South Korea during a routine training exercise after experiencing "an in-flight emergency".
"The pilot ejected the aircraft. The pilot has been recovered by the Republic of Korea Maritime Forces, awake and in stable condition," the statement said, adding he would be evaluated further back at the base.
"We are grateful for the safe recovery of our Airman by our ROK Allies and that the pilot is in good condition," said Colonel Matthew C. Gaetke, the 8th fighter wing's commander, according to the statement.
The United States Air Force (USAF) said that the cause of the in-flight emergency was unknown. "The incident will be thoroughly investigated," the USAF said in the statement.
The USAF statement added that the name of the pilot would not be released, nor would further details about his condition. South Korea's defense ministry declined to comment.
In May, during a routine training exercise in a farming area south of Seoul, a US F-16 jet crashed. The pilot ejected safely, and there were no other casualties in the accident.
Washington is Seoul's most important security ally, with approximately 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea to help protect the country from the nuclear-armed North.
Following a deadly crash that killed eight US airforce soldiers, the US military announced last week that it was grounding its fleet of V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft in neighboring Japan.
