USAF Rocket Accidentally Launched Northeast Of Tucson

TUCSON, AZ – The USAF has reported that an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base accidentally fired an M-156 rocket during a training mission Thursday. At about 10:40 a.m., the aircraft “unintentionally released a single M-156 rocket,” which landed in the Jackal Military Operations Area about 60 miles northeast of Tucson. The Jackal area supports Davis-Monthan and Luke Air Force bases in night training and air-to-air training missions, but “is not designated for munitions release,” Air Force officials reported to NBC News.

The M-156 rocket released is classified as a “white phosphorous projectile” by the USAF. The military uses white phosphorus in munitions to generate smoke for identifying targets and to conceal troop movement, azfamily.com reported. The M-156 rocket measures about 4.5 feet in length and weighs 23 lbs, according to CBS News.

The A-10C Thunderbolt II involved in the incident is part of Davis-Monthan’s 354th Fighter Squadron of the 355th Wing. Factors causing the incident are still being investigated, and no damages or injuries resulted.