2nd LD Writethru: U.S. Air Force training jet crashes in Mississippi, 2 pilots safe

WASHINGTON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. Air Force training jet on Wednesday morning crashed in southern state Mississippi, with both pilots ejecting safely and taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.

The T-38 Talon supersonic jet trainer went down outside Columbus Air Force Base in northeastern Mississippi about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to a statement by the Columbus Air Force Base. The T-38 is used to train Air Force pilots how to fly jets.

A plume of smoke was visible on the scene following the crash, witnesses said.

However, there were no houses or other structures nearby and that fire has been put out, local reports quoted Air Force source as saying.

The incident happened hours before Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is scheduled to deliver a commencement address at U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, said local reports. Enditem