"Badger Air Militia" F-16 crashes

On 8 December 2020, an F-16 Fighting Falcon from Madison-Dane County Regionall-Truax Field Air National Guard Base (WI) crashed under unknown circumstances.

Emergency crews overnight were searching for the F-16 pilot of the 176th Fighter Squadron/115th Fighter Wing. It is reported that the aircraft crashed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula while it was on a training mission around 20:00 hrs (LT).

Emergency responders are on the crash scene. The cause of the crash, as well as the status of the pilot, are unknown at this time, and the incident is under investigation. The 176th flies with some 25 F-16C/Ds, carrying the WI tailcode.

In December 2017, the USAF announced that the 176th was one of two Air National Guard squadrons selected for equipping with the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. The conversion to the fifth-generation jet fighter is scheduled for 2023.

Photo: USAF