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Nine Canadian Forces members from Winnipeg's 17 Wing are safe after a CC-130 Hercules plane caught fire at an American naval base Tuesday morning during a training exercise. 

The training exercise took place at the Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida. The Hercules caught fire during take-off, but was able to safely land before hitting the end of the runway.

The nine members of Winnipeg's 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron who were on board at the time all made it safely out.

"During take-off the aircraft noted an on-board fire and quickly landed the aircraft before it reached the end of the runway and conducted the emergency evacuation procedures," said Capt. Jordan Woodman. "(Those on board) were examined after by a Canadian Forces flight surgeon as a precautionary measure and everyone checked out healthy and ok."

The Hercules was severely damaged by flames.

All Hercules training exercises have been grounded until the fire's cause has been determined.