An F-16 fighter jet crashed into a warehouse just outside the March Air Reserve Base Thursday afternoon.
An Air Force spokesman Friday confirmed there were weapons onboard the F-16 that crashed into the warehouse.
The plane was armed with weapons of war, likely two missiles and two bombs, and have been removed from the plane.
The pilot was from an Air National Guard unit in Fresno and ejected onto the airfield before the aircraft crashed.
It's still unclear when the 215 freeway will be re-opened.
The NORAD alert aircraft was flying with the standard armament package, but due to operational security, reasons, we will not discuss the specifics of this armament package,” says USAF Col. Threats at F-16 wreckage site, near #MarchAirReserveBase, will be “properly disposed of.” pic.twitter.com/BdiJrwN2dK
— Craig Fiegener (@CraigNews3LV)
May 17, 2019 Earlier on Friday morning, during a press conference, a USAF official wouldn't say what was on the F-16 jet that crashed that’s a threat. The official said dangerous ordnance team is on the scene, but won’t say what they’ve done, or will do.
CBS News military analyst retired Major Mike Lyons tells KNX there may be reasons why the authorities are not releasing all the details:
"Perhaps, there might be something on there they want to verify. In all likelihood, it would have exploded upon impact, there are some trigger mechanisms that prevent that from happening, let's say, but perhaps they want to do a further investigation on it," he said.
Lyons tells KNX usually F-16s fly with inert missiles on training exercises.
Meanwhile, there is a large evacuation zone around the warehouse Friday and the 215 freeway is still shut down.
The military says it will stay that way until the jet's weaponry and ordnance could be rendered safe.
A fire official says it's "a miracle" there was no explosion. Authorities say there aren't any major injuries.
USAF official won’t say what was on the F-16 jet that crashed that’s a threat. He says dangerous ordnance team is on scene, but won’t say what they’ve done, or will do. #MarchAirReserveBase pic.twitter.com/U6nzTZX8Tv
— Craig Fiegener (@CraigNews3LV)
May 17, 2019 Update from @CALFIRERRU, and military, set for 8 a.m. on F-16 jet crash near #MarchAirReserveBase. pic.twitter.com/MdrhWk7PIJ
— Craig Fiegener (@CraigNews3LV)
May 17, 2019 Hearing the ordnance on the crashed F-16 near March Air Reserve Base to be removed from the wreckage site, and transported back to the base. This is a F-16 Fighting Falcon file photo. #MarchAirReserveBase pic.twitter.com/zPo4jAtG2m
— Craig Fiegener (@CraigNews3LV)
May 17, 2019 The plane was carrying live ordnance, meaning the plane had live ammo onboard.
Here is a video from Facebook user Jeff Schoffstall who was reportedly inside the warehouse
No injuries have been reported to anybody on the ground or inside the warehouse.
#BREAKING image from inside a warehouse near March Air Reserve Base where a fighter jet crashed this afternoon Courtesy: Jeff Schoffstall pic.twitter.com/OJa0WBRMnM
— Rob McMillan (@abc7robmcmillan)
May 16, 2019 Here are photos courtesy from Fox reporter Bill Melugin:
BREAKING: Here is a closer look at the hole in the building after the F-16 crashed. @foxla pic.twitter.com/iGYkxd7p72
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA)
May 16, 2019 BREAKING: A F-16 jet has crashed into a warehouse building near March Reserve Air Force Base in Riverside. Northbound/southbound 215 freeway closed from Cactus to Harley Knox per CHP. Pilot was able to eject, and is being evaluated. Parachute apparently in grass. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/sONqcx5Vi4
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA)
May 16, 2019 This story is developing.
