A B-1 Bomber out of South Dakota's Ellsworth Air Force Base crashed in a remote area of southeast Montana Monday, but luckily the crew of four escaped with only minor injuries.
According to CBS, two pilots and two weapons systems officers were on board and all four were ejected from the plane but survived the crash. A spokeswoman for Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, S.D. told CBS that the crash happened near the small town of Broadus, Mont. Monday morning.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
"We are actively working to ensure the safety of the crew members and have sent first responders to secure the scene and work closely with local authorities at the crash site," said Col. Kevin Kennedy, 28th Bomb Wing commander per CBS immediately after word broke of the crash. "Right now all of our thoughts and prayers are with the crews and their families."
Photos of the crash and the aftermath can be seen here.
According to CBS, Ellsworth AFB is the home of the 28th Bomb Wing and flies 28 B-1 bombers as and is also the home to two of the Air Force's three B-1 combat squadrons. Only Ellsworth and Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas have B-1B crews.
Reports indicate that sirens went off sometime between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. to alert the local volunteer fire department of the crash.
Kennedy noted that the Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
According to reports, The B-1 Lancer is intended for high-speed, low-altitude penetration missions only.
Broadus is located within the Powder River Training Complex in an 8,300 mile block of airspace.
Reports indicate that Monday's incident was just the second major malfunction of a B-1 since the air war in the Middle East began following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Watch a video of a B-1 Bomber Below:
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