A USAF Thunderbird crashed outside Colorado Springs just after a performance and flyby at the Air Force Academy graduation Thursday. The pilot was able to eject from the aircraft, and is initially believed to be uninjured.
The crash occurred minutes after President Barack Obama gave his final commencement address of his presidency — saying that America cannot afford to be isolationist.
Obama told the Air Force cadets the United States still maintains the strongest military force in the world, and argued that American leadership should be centered around continued nurturing of international alliances.
The cause of the crash is initially believed to be an engine failure. The Thunderbirds perform aerial demonstrations in the F-16C Fighting Falcon.
The crash was reported in the area of Powers and Fontaine, in the Security-Widefield area.
President Obama spoke to Air Force Academy cadet graduates about the role of the U.S. military in today’s world.
One of the final #Thunderbird flyovers at Air Force Academy graduation before reported crash pic.twitter.com/IyYbOz0hZ7
— John Frank (@ByJohnFrank) June 2, 2016
Lindsay Diaz shared this picture of the downed Thunderbird near Powers and Fontaine. #Breaking pic.twitter.com/Vzo1wdooD0
— KRDO NewsChannel 13 (@KRDONC13) June 2, 2016
#BREAKING Photo of crashed Thunderbird in Colorado Springs; pilot ejected, is OK https://t.co/CJ9olr8kwO pic.twitter.com/dxruhvw320
— KKTV 11 News (@KKTV11News) June 2, 2016
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