Military reports indicate that human remains have been found at that site near Baghdad, where an Air Force F-16 went down on Monday. The service has identified the pilot as Major Troy Gilbert, assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, Arizona. At the time of the mishap, Major Gilbert was deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, based at Balad AB, Iraq.
Cause of the crash remains unknown. Major Gilbert was flying a mission in support of coalition troops on the ground when his F-16 went down. Video from the crash site revealed an intact canopy, suggesting that the ejection sequence was initiatied before the aircraft struck the ground. An Air Force board has been appointed to investigate the crash. The aircraft piloted by Major Gilbert was normally assigned to the 524th Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB, NM, but deployed to Iraq in support of on-going operations.
Prayers for Major Gilbert and his family at this most difficult time.
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