WASHINGTON (AP) - A U.S. Air Force pilot was killed when an F-16 crashed while returning to its base in the Middle East.<br />
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The U.S. Central Command, which is in charge of American military operations in the Mideast, said the fighter jet crashed in a non-combat incident late Sunday night while going back to its base shortly after takeoff.<br />
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The command did not disclose the identity of the pilot or the location of the crash. But it said it did not occur in either Iraq or Syria where a U.S.-led coalition has been bombing Islamic State extremists.<br />
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The crash is being investigated.