UPDATE - 12/11/2020:
The pilot of the F-16 fighter jet that crashed in the Upper Peninsula Tuesday night has been found dead. According to the 115th Fighter Wing, the pilot's identity hasn't been released yet.
Local, state, and military crews searched in dense woods for almost two days before finding the pilot on Thursday.12/09/2020:
Search and rescue efforts continue for the pilot of the F-16 fighter jet that crashed in the Upper Peninsula Tuesday night. The aircraft went down around 8 p.m. in the Hiawatha National Forest in Delta County.
The plane was assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing in Madison. According to the Wisconsin National Guard, the aircraft was on a routine training mission. The cause of the crash and the status of the pilot are unknown.
“We are a close knit family and when an incident like this occurs, every member in our organization feels it,” said Col. Bart Van Roo, 115th Fighter Wing commander.
“The safety of our pilot along with search and rescue efforts are our top priority, and we will continue to pray for the pilot’s safe return.”
Local first repsonders, the U.S. Coast Guard and other government agencies continue to search the area near the crash. Officials say spotty cell service is making communication difficult.
