The U.S. military has put its air operations in Djibouti on hold and canceled the remainder of an ongoing military exercise after two aviation accidents that occurred Tuesday.
The decision came after a request from the government of Djibouti following the crash of a Marine Corps Harrier jet and a landing that damaged a Marine CH-53 helicopter, according to a Pentagon official.
The helicopter accident was fairly minor. The Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter was landing on an approved range when it set down on a large boulder that the pilot didn’t see. No one was hurt but the helicopter sustained structural damage.
The Harrier crash was more serious. The Marine Corps pilot ejected and was treated a U.S. military medical facility before being released.
The two incidents on the same day prompted the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command to cancel the remainder of exercise Alligator Dagger, a scheduled training event involving U.S. personnel and operations in the vicinity of Djibouti and Arta Beach Range.
“Both incidents are currently under a joint investigation,” said Cmdr. Bill Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, “A safety stand-down has been initiated for all exercise participants.”
