Fire grounds South Korean KF-16 in Alaska, pilots eject VIDEO

Two South Korean pilots were forced to eject from their KF-16 fighter jet after an emergency during takeoff at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, the South Korean Air Force announced on June 11. 

The incident occurred around  9:02 a.m. (Seoul time) as the aircraft was preparing for a sortie as part of the US-led multinational Red Flag Alaska air combat exercise, Caliber.Az reports via Korean media.

BREAKING: A U.S. Air Force F-16 at Eielson AFB in Alaska is on fire after crash pic.twitter.com/DsdFlTPmJm

— TheÐogeGlory (@GloryDoge) June 11, 2025

The US 354th Fighter Wing confirmed the mishap, noting that it took place within the base perimeter while the aircraft was departing a prepared surface. The precise nature of the mechanical failure or issue that caused the emergency has not yet been determined, and the extent of the damage to the jet remains unclear.

According to South Korea’s Air Force, both pilots were promptly taken to a US Army hospital. They are currently recovering, having sustained only minor injuries such as burns and cuts. The fighter jet, which caught fire and suffered partial damage, is now stationed on a grassy area near the runway.

In response to the accident, the South Korean Air Force plans to dispatch a team to conduct a detailed investigation and carry out emergency repairs. The probe will be carried out in coordination with the US military to establish the cause of the incident.

This marks the first known case of a South Korean fighter jet experiencing an accident overseas.

The Red Flag Alaska exercise, organised by the US Pacific Air Forces since 1975, aims to simulate realistic air combat scenarios for participating nations. South Korea has been involved in the drills since 2013. For this year’s iteration, the South Korean Air Force deployed 11 aircraft, including KF-16 fighters and a KC-330 transport aircraft, along with around 100 air personnel.

By Tamilla Hasanova