Arizona Public Radio | Your Source for NPR News
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
KNAU Arizona Public Radio continues to integrate new audio software into both our news and classical services, resulting in some glitches. Thank you for your support and patience through this upgrade.

Iraqi Pilot In Arizona F-16 Crash Identified

Iraqi Air Force)

 The Iraqi air force has identified a pilot who died in the crash of an F-16 fighter in southern Arizona.

The air force identified the pilot Wednesday as Capt. Noor Faleh Rassan Al-Khazali. His age and hometown weren't released.

Al-Khazali was killed Tuesday when his Fighting Falcon jet went down in the southern Arizona desert during what an Arizona Air National Guard official called a routine training mission.

First Lt. Lacey Roberts of the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Wing says the U.S. Air Force has activated a team to investigate the crash about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of Tucson.

The Iraqi defense ministry says it will join in the investigation.

Al-Khazali's death was the second of an Iraqi pilot flying an F-16 that crashed in Arizona in recent years.