PYEONGTAEK, South Korea—The United States Air Force is conducting ongoing investigations into three recent F-16 fighter jet crashes in South Korea, as public safety concerns escalate. The incidents, which began last May with a crash in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, followed by two more crashes into the Yellow Sea in December and January, have raised alarms over the safety of military operations near civilian areas.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a spokesperson for the 7th Air Force, speaking to Yonhap News Agency, the investigations into these incidents are still in progress, and no definitive causes have been identified. Each of the three pilots involved in the crashes successfully ejected and was rescued, but the events have sparked significant unease, further fueled by an incident last month where a U.S. F-16 dropped two of its fuel tanks over the Yellow Sea during an in-flight emergency.
Buitrago emphasized the Air Force's commitment to safety, acknowledging the legitimate security and safety concerns of residents living in proximity to operational bases. She assured that the U.S. military takes extensive precautions to minimize the risk of aircraft incidents and mitigate potential impacts on civilian populations and property in emergency situations.
The U.S. military's approach to handling the aftermath of such crashes has drawn scrutiny, especially in comparison to the South Korean Air Force's practice of grounding aircraft fleets following similar incidents. In September, the South Korean Air Force grounded approximately 150 fighter jets after a KF-16C crash, resuming operations only after concluding its investigation in December.
Buitrago clarified that the U.S. Air Force treats each aircraft incident as a separate event, with initial findings from the three F-16 crashes not suggesting a common cause that would necessitate halting operations. Following the January crash, operations were briefly paused for search and recovery efforts before resuming, as stated by Lt. Gen. David R. Iverson, commander of the 7th Air Force.
The F-16 remains a crucial component of the U.S. military's presence in South Korea, with the 7th Air Force operating one F-16 fighter squadron at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek and two squadrons at Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, underscoring the importance of ensuring the safety and reliability of these aircraft amid ongoing operational demands.