U.S. military jet crashes in S. KoreaMarch 21, 2012 - 15:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A U.S. military F-16 jet crashed in southern South Korea Wednesday, March 21 during a training mission but its pilot ejected to safety, U.S. authorities said, according to AFP. The plane crashed into a rice paddy around noon (0300 GMT) near a US air base in the western port city of Gunsan, the U.S. military said in a statement. There were no casualties or serious damage on the ground, a US air force spokesman said, adding details would be released later. A local fire station officer in Seocheon county near Gunsan said previously the pilot was injured and taken away by ambulance. The officer had identified the aircraft involved as an A-10 tank buster. The crash came as South Korean and U.S. troops stage an annual joint military exercise, called Foal Eagle, from March 1 to April 30. It was unclear if the F-16 was involved in the drill. North Korea habitually fiercely denounces annual joint exercises by U.S. and South Korean troops as a rehearsal for invasion. Seoul and Washington say they are merely defensive in nature. The United States has based troops in the South since the 1950-53 war and the force currently numbers 28,500. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |