A Mirage F-1 aircraft that was used to provide commercial adversary air training services to the US Air Force crashed outside the southern edge of the Nellis Air Force Base in the afternoon of May 24.
The single pilot onboard the aircraft died from injuries sustained in the crash.
The aircraft was owned, operated and piloted by Draken US, a Florida-based company contracted to provide adversary air support to Nellis Air Force Base.
“Draken has received news of a downed aircraft out of Nellis AFB and the tragic loss of one of our pilots. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people and families affected by this event,” Draken US said in a statement.
“We are doing everything in our power to assist them in this time of need, and we are working closely with federal, state and local authorities. Draken US is also cooperating with investigating agencies to determine what led to this tragic accident,” said Draken US.
Multiple federal and local first responders are on scene. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
The crash on May 24 took place a little over a year after Draken started delivering radar equipped F1M missions in support of US Air Force combat readiness training at Nellis AFB.
The Draken F1 fleet is supporting the Nellis ADAIR (adversary air) II contract, which provides adversary training for the USAF Weapons School, Red Flag exercises, operational test support, formal training unit support, and combat air forces abroad.
