2 F-16 fighter jets safely divert to Myrtle Beach International Airport, military says

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Two U.S. military F-16 fighter jets from Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina, diverted to Myrtle Beach International Airport Monday morning during a training mission, the military told News13.

The jets were seen and heard circling the airport for several minutes before landing without incident at about 9:30 a.m. The landing did not affect any commercial operations at the airport, an Horry County government spokesman said.

Capt. James S. Stewart, chief of public affairs for the 20th Fighter Wing, released the following statement to News13 Monday afternoon, without disclosing the exact nature of the problem.

“Two U.S. Air Force F-16 aircraft assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base were conducting training missions and were scheduled to return to base when they diverted to Myrtle Beach International Airport at approximately 9:30 a.m., after experiencing mechanical issues. Both aircraft landed safely.”