F-16 fighter jet crashes in Michigan in huge fireball during National Guard training exercise

A F-16 fighter jet has crashed during a training exercise in rural Michigan .

Sgt. Derek Gutierrez, a public affairs specialist with the 149th Fighter Wing, said the pilot ejected and was receiving medical care at a local hospital. Citing military protocol, Gutierrez declined to provide details regarding injuries or the pilot's identity.

The Grand Traverse County Emergency Management warned anyone within a mile of the crash site to evacuate.

“Evacuate away from the intersection of Co Rd 633 and Jefferson Pl. Follow instructions from emergency personnel. More information to follow,” officials wrote.

The aircraft, from Texas, was taking part in training drills based out of Alpena, Michigan's National Guard Base.

Witnesses reported a loud impact, and pictures published on social media platforms displayed a tall column of dark smoke rising nearby.

Wendy Sobeck noted that she and her spouse heard a "very loud crash" down the street, minutes from their countryside residence.

"We thought there was a car accident outside our house. We saw big billowing black smoke. We couldn’t tell what it was, so my husband got into his pickup truck and saw what happened," Sobeck said. "You could see the plane debris in the field. Explosions kept happening."

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