F-16 jets leave 9 days after making emergency landing on Alaska island due to engine issue
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Nine days after making an emergency landing in St. Paul due to engine issues, two American F-16 fighter jets based in South Korea have returned to the skies.
Video captured by a viewer on the ground Wednesday showed both jets taking off.
The two jets had left Kunsan K-8 Air Base in South Korea and were on their way to Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks on May 19 to “support upcoming exercises” when one of them suffered an “engine malfunction,” according to U.S. Air Force 8th Fighter Wing public affairs 1st Lt. Lauren Niemi.
Niemi said the jets landed safely on St. Paul Island since it was the nearest suitable airfield, and said both pilots are safe and were “awaiting mechanical assistance to continue their route.”
Many in the small town of 400 came out to see the unexpected visitors in the days after they landed.
Officials said the appropriate parts to repair the engine issues had to be flown to the remote island that sits in the Bering Sea.
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