US bomber crashes in Montana

This Dec. 10, 2008 file photo provided by the US Air Force shows a B-1B Lancer bomber from the US Air Force’s 34th Expeditionary Squadron. A B-1B bomber out of South Dakota’s Ellsworth Air Force Base crashed in a remote area of southeastern Montana on Monday, Aug. 19, 2013 but the four crew members survived, the U.S. Air Force said. AP

WASHINGTON – A US Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber crashed on Monday in the northern state of Montana but its four-strong crew managed to eject before impact, the military said.

The plane had taken off from Ellsworth Air Force base, home of the 28th Bomb Wing, on what was described as a routine training mission.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known and all four crew members suffered “some injuries” during the incident, according to a statement.

“We are actively working to ensure the safety of the crew members and have sent first responders to secure the scene and work closely with local authorities at the crash site,” said Colonel Kevin Kennedy.

“Right now all of our thoughts and prayers are with the crews and their families,” he said.

The B-1B is an updated version of the Rockwell corporation’s long range B-1 bomber, which was originally designed to carry nuclear weapons.