Nine members of the
Canadian Forces were safely evacuated after their military aircraft
caught fire Tuesday at a base in the U.S.

The CC-130 Hercules was participating in a training exercise when it caught fire at the Naval Air Station in Key West, Fla.

Those on board made a successful emergency landing and fire crews put out the flames.

The aircraft and crew are from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron of 17 Wing Winnipeg.

The military is describing damage to the aircraft as extensive.

Lt-Col.
Richard Pamplin, who command’s the crew’s squadron, says he’s proud of
the way those on board followed through on their training and got
everyone out safely.

He added that he’s relieved to confirm all those who were on board are safe and in good spirits.

They were providing air-to-air refuelling support for the training of new CF-18 fighter pilots from 4 Wing Cold Lake in Alberta.

An investigation has been launched to determined the cause of the blaze.