US fighter jet crashes in the Gulf

An American F-16 fighter jet is believed to have crashed in the Gulf of Mexico, air force officials have said.

Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida’s Panhandle said the plane was on a routine training mission over the Gulf when they lost contact with the pilot.

Aircraft and rescue forces were immediately sent to the missing jet’s last known location.

No wreckage has been found, but officials are working under the assumption that the plane went down in the water. The US Coast Guard is leading the search.

325 Fighter Wing Vice Commander Colonel Mark O’Laughlin said finding the pilot is their top priority.