WASHINGTON - A US air force pilot who was killed Friday in a mid-air collision was the son of US Ambassador to Malaysia Marie T Huhtala, said the Pentagon.

Lieutenant Jorma Huhtala, a graduate of the US Air Force Academy, was killed when his F-16C collided with another F-16 in a training missile near Hill Air Force Base in Utah, the Pentagon added.

The other pilot ejected safely from his aircraft and survived the mishap, the Pentagon said. He was treated for minor injuries and released.

"Our condolences, of course, go out to the ambassador and her family over the loss of their son in service to the country," Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke said. AFP