Greek F-16 Down During Training Exercise, Several On The Ground Killed

An Hellenic Air Force F-16 has gone down in Spain during a NATO training exercise, according to senior military officials.

At least 10 people have been fatally injured, according to a report from CNN. The condition of the pilot was not immediately known.

The plane went down on takeoff at the Los Llanos military base in southern Spain. It impacted other aircraft on the ground, according to an unnamed base official.

"I am deeply saddened by the crash of a Greek fighter jet at the Los Llanos base in Spain, which has caused many casualties," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a statement posted online. "This is a tragedy which affects the whole NATO family. I express my heartfelt condolences to the loved ones and the nations of those who lost their lives, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured."

Stoltenberg said that the plane was taking part in an exercise in the framework of NATO’s Tactical Leadership Program, which aims to improve multinational cooperation in air operations.

(Hellenic Air Force F-16 pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.nato.int