ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Aircraft salvage operations to begin on Saturday, September 9. 
Commercial salvage operators have located the site of the NJ Air National Guard F-16C which crashed on August 31st approximately two miles off shore.   Salvage operators and drivers will finish mapping the debris field today and recovery operations will commence tomorrow.
  
The recovery team will consist of elements of a commercial salvage company, the U.S. Coast Guard, N.J. State Marine Police, and personnel from the 177th Fighter Wing as well as Air Force safety investigators.   As a precautionary measure, recovery efforts will be closely coordinated with the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection and Atlantic County public health officials.
 
Due to general safety concerns surrounding sea salvage operations, boaters are requested to stay clear of the salvage operations area. 
    
Pilot Identified ~ The 177th Fighter Wing, in coordination with the Air Force safety investigation board, released the name of the New Jersey Air National Guard pilot involved in the August 31 crash of an F-16 aircraft off the coast of Atlantic City.
 
The pilot is identified as Major David G. Haar of Great Meadows, N.J.  The 41 year-old pilot has been a member of the New Jersey Air National Guard since 1981. Maj. Haar is an experienced fighter pilot with over 2,200 total flying hours -- 1,270 hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
  
Maj. Haar's aircraft experienced an engine malfunction while on a routine training mission.  In order to minimize the potential risk to public safety, he managed to direct the aircraft out to sea, where he successfully ejected.
 
Due to the ongoing investigation, Maj. Haar will not be available for comment.   A release of the accident board's results will be made public upon the completion of the investigation.  

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Colonel John Dwyer, Public Affairs Officer, at the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at (609) 530-6939.