US Air Force,
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq: An Air Force F-16 deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing crashed on base during takeoff at 4:55 p.m. July 15.
The pilot of the single-seat aircraft ejected safely and was transported to the Air Force Theater Hospital for evaluation.
The aircraft was flying on a combat mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing close air support to ground forces fighting anti-Iraq forces.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
