An Iraqi F-16 warplane crashed while on a training mission in open terrain in Arizona on Tuesday, the Iraqi Air Force announced in a statement on Wednesday.
The pilot was identified as Capt. Noor Falih Hizam Rasn, who was described as professional and experienced. No further details were provided.
P.J. Allred, an Arizona sheriff from Graham County, told the local Tucson newspaper that the incident involved the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Wing.
The crash site is near Fort Thomas, about 20 miles northwest of Safford, in Graham County, according to the newspaper.
Pilots from Iraq, Singapore, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Oman, Belgium, and the Netherlands have trained at the air wing since 1990, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
The incident is being investigated by the US Air Force.
The US-led Global Coalition has provided training, advice, and assistance to Iraqi forces since the war with ISIS began in 2014.
Capt. Noor Falih Hizam Rasn. Photo: Iraqi air force
