F-15C crash in North Sea, pilot dead

An American Air Force pilot from the 493rd Fighter Squadron pilot, based at RAF Lakenheath, England, was killed when an F-15C crashed into the North Sea during a routine training mission June 15, confirmed 48th FW Commander, Col. Will Marshall. The pilot’s name has not been released pending next of kin notification. The aircraft crashed about 74 nautical miles off Flamborough Head, on the U.K.’s Yorkshire coast, the British coast guard said on Twitter. The coast guard, which dispatched a helicopter and lifeboats and called for other maritime support to search for the pilot, located F-15C wreckage a few hours before the pilot was recovered. Online flight trackers showed American KC-10s and KC-135s, as well as NATO AWACs, flying in the crash zone, suggesting they may have participated in efforts to find the airman and aircraft. It’s the 48th FW’s first F-15 crash since 2014, and AF’s first F-15C crash in two years. (Source: Air Force Magazine 06/15/20) https://www.airforcemag.com/493rd-fighter-squadron-pilot-killed-in-f-15c-crash/