New! Video Reports from Bettina Boateng, Andy Pierrotti, Sky 2 (News 2 Helicopter), & an excluisve photo gallery from the air.

These pictures were taken from our News 2 Helicopter, Sky 2, shortly after the crash. You can clearly see from this photo, all that's left of the 18 million dollar military aircraft is twisted metal and burning jet fuel. The crash happened on the Ashley River, just across from the Dolphin Cove Marina near North Charleston accross from the West Ashley section of Charleston.

The pilots, Major. Steve Granger and Lt. Colonel Maurice Salcedo from the Shaw Air Force Base, had just begun a training mission when they ran into trouble and were forced to eject. Both were plucked from the waters of the Ashley River by the US Coast Guard. The pilots were taken for medical treatment  to the Trident Regional Medical Center. Air Force Officials tell News 2 that they are currently in stable condition and recooperating.

An F-16 is a Air Force Fighter Jet that is nearly 50 feet in length, more than 16 feet tall and has a wingspan of more than 32 feet. It is capable of reaching speeds of mach 2; which is nearly 1,500 miles per hour. Now one of those 14 million dollar machines lies in ruins along the Ashley River.

Team Coverage:

News 2 dispatched numerous crews, including the News 2 Helicopter "Sky 2" with exclusive video and photos (Click video icon above to view video and look below for photo galleries). News 2 has team coverage of this big story with Count on 2's Andy Pierrotti and Bettina Boateng:

Video: Crash Site Report - Bettina Boateng

Video: Eye Witnesses Interview & Amatuer Video - Andy Pierrotti

Special Alert:

Military officials are asking if anybody sees anything that might look like a part of the jet to contact your local authorities and DO NOT touch any wreckage.

Official Release from US Air Force on Crash:

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  An Air Force F-16 crashed about 5 p.m. today near Charleston, S.C.  At the time of the accident, the pilots, Maj. Steve Granger and Lt. Col. Maurice Salcedo    had just begun their training mission.  They ejected safely into Ashley River near Charleston. The aircraft was from the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base.  The United States Coast Guard rescued the Airmen; emergency personnel transported the Airmen to the Trident Regional Hospital in Charleston. A board of officers will investigate the accident.

Background on Shaw Air Force Base & the F-16:

Shaw is home of Ninth Air Force and the 20th Fighter Wing, which flies F-16s serves as the host unit.  The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.

Web Extras:

Video: Fly By of Crash Site (Sky 2, WCBD)

Video: Overall Video from the Air (Sky 2, WCBD)

Photos: Photo Gallery of Crash Site

Link:Information on the F-16 (USAF website)

Link:Shaw Air Force Base (USAF Website)