An F-16 fighter jet disappeared Thursday during a routine training mission over the Gulf of Mexico, the Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida said.
The air force base lost communication with the aircraft, which belongs to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, at around 9:15 a.m., WTVY reported. Officials believe the plane crashed into the water about 60 miles south of Panama City, Florida, NBC News reported. As of Thursday evening the pilot has not been found.
Forces from the Tyndall air base and the U.S. Coast Guard have been dispatched to the last known location of the missing jet and are now searching for the aircraft and its pilot.
"The rescue of our Airman is our top priority," Colonel Mark O'Laughlin, Vice Commander of 325 Fighter Wing, told WTVY.
"We want to assure the family and friends of the missing pilot that we are doing everything we can for this effort."
The story is developing.
