A U.S. pilot who went missing earlier this week after he crashed his F-16 fighter jet in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during a training mission was found dead, officials said.
In accordance with Department of Defense policy, the identity of the pilot will not be released until 24 hours after his family members are notified, officials said.
The Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing said in a statement the cause of the crash is still unclear as officials continue their investigation.
Col. Bart Van Roo, the commander of the fighter wing, said the military aviation group is “extremely close knit” and any loss “brings immeasurable sadness to every member of our organization.”
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss; our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” Van Roo said.
“Today is a day for mourning, the 115th Fighter Wing and the entire Wisconsin National Guard stands with the pilot’s family as we grieve the loss of a great Airman and patriot,” he continued.
The crash happened Tuesday evening at about 8 p.m. within Michigan’s Hiawatha National Forest, a rural, heavily wooded area in Delta County, located about 250 miles northeast of the base.
A massive multi-state, interagency search was launched immediately after the organization was notified of the crash, officials said.
The search effort included ground, air, and water teams from the fighter wing, local emergency responders, and the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. military agency Air Force Times reported.
Officials said the area of the crash site was at first secured by local emergency responders until safety and security personnel from the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing arrived.
