A Colorado Air National Guard F-16C from the 120th Fighter Squadron had to drop two empty external fuel tanks today over Elbert County after an in-flight emergency.
After the incident, the F-16 was able to land safely at Peterson Air Force Base.
The F-16 was on a regular training mission over eastern Colorado and western Kansas at the time.
No information is currently being released about the nature of the emergency.
The pilot was able to drop the tanks over an unpopulated area. County officials are currently looking for the tanks. Anyone with information about the location of the tanks is asked to contact their local authorities. Air Force Major Kristin Haley told the Associated Press the tanks are about 5 feet long and 2 feet across.
A Colorado Army National Guard Blackhawk was launched at 5:30 p.m. to help in the search.
The 120th Fighter Squadron is based at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora.
