HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The Air Force was cleaning up Friday after a pilot jettisoned two fuel tanks and a live bomb at a Utah base following an engine malfunction, officials said.
The bomb was scheduled to be detonated Saturday at Hill Air Force Base, about 30 miles north of Salt Lake City, the Deseret News reported. The Hill Aerospace Museum was to be closed for the day, said Col. Patrick Higby, commander of the 75th Air Base Wing.
The F-16 fighter pilot landed soon after he jettisoned fuel tanks and bombs.
Col. Scott Zobrist, who commands the 388th Fighter Wing, said the pilot did a good job of saving his plane and safeguarding the public.
"He found the safest place to dispose of ordnance and to land a $25 million airplane safely," Zobrist said. "I was proud of what he did."
Higby said one of the bombs exploded, knocking out power to part of the base. The other was buried about 17 feet underground.
