THE TENSION: UPDATE: Air Force Releases Name of Pilot Killed in F-15 Crash

On the Home Front:

THIS IS AN UPDATE OF AN EARLIER STORY

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Feb. 22, 2008 (AFPN) -- Air Force officials here Feb. 22 have released the name of the F-15 Eagle pilot who died due to injuries sustained to an aircraft accident Feb. 20.

1st Lt. Ali Jivanjee of the 58th Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base died in the crash of two F-15s over the Gulf of Mexico.

The name of the second pilot involved in the accident is not being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation. He was released from the Eglin AFB hospital Feb. 21 and was in good condition.

An Interim Safety Board has convened at the 33rd FW to begin investigating the accident. Both F-15s were assigned to the 58th FS, a unit of the 33rd FW.

Col. Todd Harmer, the 33rd FW commander, temporarily suspended flying operations following the crash. The members of the 33rd FW are scheduled to return to normal flying operations Feb. 25.

(From an Air Force press release.)

An earlier story is below.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Feb. 21, 2008 (AFPN) -- An Eglin Air Force Base pilot involved in a Feb. 20 crash of two F-15 Eagles over the Gulf of Mexico has died.

The other Eglin AFB F-15 pilot is listed in good condition at the base hospital.

At approximately 5 p.m., Coast Guard crews located and rescued the 58th Fighter Squadron pilots after they were reported missing over the Gulf of Mexico at approximately 2 p.m.

The names of the two pilots are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A board of officers will investigate the accident. Additional details will be provided as soon as they become available.

"The 33rd Fighter Wing and Team Eglin have suffered a great loss today and my heart goes out to the family and friends of our fallen Airman," said Col. Todd Harmer, the 33rd FW commander. "We will continue to do everything we can to assist our families and Airmen at this tragic time."