US service member involved in fighter jet crash in Ukraine

The Air Force confirmed that a U.S. service member was in a Ukrainian fighter aircraft that crashed in the country during a military exercise on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian Su-27UB fighter aircraft was taking part in the multinational exercise Clear Sky in the Khmelnytsky region, in the western part of the country, when the crash occurred, U.S. Air Forces in Europe said in a statement.

“We have seen reports claiming a U.S. casualty and can confirm a U.S. service member was involved in this incident. It is currently under investigation and we will continue to provide more information as it becomes available,” according to the statement.

U.S. Air Forces in Europe did not say if anyone in the aircraft survived.{mosads}

Clear Sky includes military personnel from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States, according to a separate command statement. 

The California Air National Guard participated in Clear Sky, a first-time exercise which began Oct. 8 and will conclude this week. U.S. aircraft involved include F-15C Eagles, KC-135 refueling planes, MQ-9 Reaper drones and a C-130J Super Hercules.

The effort is meant to “enhance regional capabilities to secure air sovereignty and promote peace and security through cooperation, collaboration and interoperability with NATO partners and other allies in the region.”