US F-16 fighter jet crashes in Michigan, bursts into flames

An F-16 fighter jet from Texas crashed in rural Michigan on Thursday during a routine training exercise, with the pilot ejecting safely before being taken to a local hospital, a military spokesman said.The aircraft was taking part in exercises at a National Guard base in Alpena, about 190 miles (305 km) north of Detroit, when it went down. Sgt. Derek Gutierrez, a public affairs specialist with the 149th Fighter Wing, said the pilot was receiving medical treatment but declined to provide the pilot’s name or details about any injuries, citing military policy.The crash sent a plume of dark smoke into the air and prompted reports of explosions from people living nearby.The fighter jet was among several F-16s from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas participating in the Michigan exercises, Gutierrez said.Wendy Sobeck, who lives in the area with her husband, said they initially believed a vehicle had crashed near their…