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Texas Air National Guard F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes in Michigan
Just the facts
The aircraft, assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing based at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, was conducting a routine training flight from the Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Michigan, before going down in Blair Township. The pilot ejected prior to the impact and was transported to a medical facility in stable condition. Blair Township Supervisor Nicole Blonshine and the Michigan State Police reported that no civilian injuries occurred on the ground and no residential structures were damaged. Grand Traverse County Emergency Management established an evacuation zone covering a one-mile radius around the intersection of County Road 633 and Jefferson Place near Blair Townhall Road. The Texas Military Department and local aviation authorities have initiated an investigation to establish the cause of the crash.
Why this is news
A Texas Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, during a military training exercise on September 17, 2026. The crash prompted emergency personnel to order an evacuation for local residents within a one-mile perimeter.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.