Investigation on downed Cannon F-16 begins Published Dec. 1, 2006 By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service Washington -- Department of Defense officials announced Wednesday the identity of the pilot of a Cannon F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed Monday during combat operations over Iraq. Maj. Troy Gilbert's duty status was listed as "whereabouts unknown." He is assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq. Air Force officials convened an investigative board Tuesday to look into what caused the F-16 single-seat fighter to crash about 20 miles northwest of Baghdad around 1:35 p.m. local time. "An event of this nature absolutely affects the people here at Cannon," said Col. Valentino Bagnani III, 27th Fighter Wing vice commander. "The emotional impact of such an event can be widespread and intense. The base chapel and Life Skills clinic are available for Airmen or family members who are affected by this event." While the cause of the crash is unknown, there is nothing to suggest that insurgents shot down the aircraft, spokesman Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said during a Baghdad news conference Tuesday. Brig. Gen. Stephen Hoog, air component coordination element director for Multinational Forces Iraq, said the fighter was part of a "troops in contact" operation. The aircraft was under operational control of ground commanders at the time of the incident. General Hoog said officials have retrieved DNA material from the site and that it will take two to four days to analyze the material. Immediately after the crash, other aircraft and surveillance assets were over the site, the general said. "Those assets did observe insurgents in the vicinity of the crash site," he added. A quick-reaction force secured the area as soon as combat operations in the area finished. General Hoog said officials found the ejection seat, but it wasn't possible to determine if the pilot had used the seat or not. (Greg Allen also contributed to this article.)