BALIKESİR (HRNW): A Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed in the early hours of Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in the western province of Balıkesir, resulting in the martyrdom of the pilot. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense identified the fallen officer as Air Force Major İbrahim Bolat. According to official statements, the aircraft took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command for a mission flight at approximately 12:50 AM local time, but radio and radar contact were lost just minutes later at 12:56 AM.
Search and rescue teams discovered the wreckage near the Naipli area in the Karesi district, close to the Istanbul–İzmir highway, where debris was found scattered over a wide area. While investigations into the technical cause of the crash are underway, the incident follows recent military aviation accidents in the region, including two crashes in Iran involving training flights over the past few days. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler expressed deep condolences to the pilot’s family and the nation, confirming that a comprehensive judicial and administrative probe has been launched.
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