American and Ukrainian pilot Died in Ukrainian SU-27 fighter jet crash. The pilot of a United States Air National Guard was killed Tuesday when the Ukranian Su-27UB fighter jet crashed in west-central Ukraine field, according to Ukrainian General Staff reports.
Lt. Col. Seth “Jethro” Nehring U.S. pilot killed in Ukrainian fighter jet crash. American and Ukrainian pilot Died in Ukrainian SU-27 fighter jet crash
SU-27 fighter jet Crashed near Ulanov village (between Berdychiv and Khmilnyk) while performing a training mission during the International ‘Clear Sky 2018’ exercise. Both POM were killed. One was Ukrainian Air Force pilot, the second a visiting US pilot (believed to be a California Air National Guard F-15C pilot).
Related link: Lt. Col. Seth “Jethro” Nehring U.S. pilot killed in Ukrainian fighter jet crash
The U.S. airman killed in a training exercise in Ukraine confirmed from 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno. A Ukrainian Su-27UB fighter aircraft crashed on Tuesday at approximately 5 p.m. local time during exercise Clear Sky 2018 in the Khmelnytskyi region, Ukraine. One U.S. service member and one Ukrainian service member died in the crash.
The U.S. service member involved in the crash was a member of the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, Fresno, California. The Airman was taking part in a single-aircraft familiarization flight with a Ukrainian counterpart. No other aircraft were involved in the incident. The identity of the service member is being withheld for 24 hours pending next of kin notification.
“This is a sad day for the United States and Ukraine,” said Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, California ANG commander and Clear Sky exercise director. “Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and fellow Airmen of both the U.S. Airman and Ukrainian aviator who were killed in the incident.”
Exercise Clear Sky 2018 is a joint and multinational exercise that involves approximately 950 personnel from nine nations, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The U.S. and Ukrainian governments are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. More information will be released as it becomes available.
