US Air Force F-15E Crashes in Eastern Afghanistan

News from the U.S. Air Force.
News in Balance:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 18, 2009 -- An F-15E Strike Eagle conducting coalition operations in eastern Afghanistan crashed at approximately 3:15 A.M. Kabul time. The crash was not due to hostile fire.

Two crew members were on board. Their condition is unknown at this time.

A board of officers will investigate the incident.

WIRE UPDATE: The Associated Press reported Saturday morning that a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashed early Saturday in central Afghanistan, killing the two crew members, the U.S. military said.

A statement by the Air Force Central Command said the crash was not due to hostile fire, and a board of officers would be convened to determine the cause. Names of the crew members were not released. Their deaths bring to 50 the number of international service members killed in Afghanistan in July — already the deadliest month of the war for NATO forces.

Additional details will be provided as they become available.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release and a commercial news article.)

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