Rental Car Mistaken for Range Target

Hill AFB, Utah An F-16 pilot accidentally straffed a rental vehicle with its 20mm Gatling-style cannon during a Close Air Support (CAS) exercise on the Utah Test and Training Range Complex. Two soldiers were in the car when the firing occurred but managed to escape with only minor injures.

The exact type of 20mmm ammunition (e.g. TP, HEI) fired during the incident was not reported. The 388th Fighter Wing plans to conduct a full investigation regarding the incident. At this time, it's unclear whether the vehicle was where it was supposed to be during the live-fire exercise and what the F-16 pilot believed he was shooting at.

The soldiers who were injured were visiting the range from Fort Lewis, Washington. They have since returned to Fort Lewis and are back to duty.