Authorities on Friday identified Air Force Capt. Durwood “Hawk” Jones, 37, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, a husband, father of two, and a decorated combat veteran who had flown three tours of duty. Capt. Durwood Jones died Tuesday, Dec. 8
Posted on 12/09/2020 9:47:58 PM PST by Lera
Whose bunker was getting busted offshore of Maine?
What about the Locator Beacon ? No CPI ?
Nothing was mentioned about that in any story I’ve read about it.
CC
AM- Please update Headline, Thank You.
F-16 pilot died in U.P. fighter jet crash, military says
DELTA COUNTY, MI - Two days after an F-16 fighter jet crashed into a remote, wooded area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, military officials said that the pilot died.
The Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing announced the death late this afternoon. It’s not known if the pilot died in the crash, or if the person was able to eject from the plane before the crash. The military plans to wait a day after notifying the service member’s relatives to release the pilot’s name.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss; our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” 115th Fighter Wing commander Col. Bart Van Roo said. “Today is a day for mourning, the 115th Fighter Wing and the entire Wisconsin National Guard stands with the pilot’s family as we grieve the loss of a great Airman, and patriot.”
“We are an extremely close-knit group at the fighter wing. The loss of one of our own brings immeasurable sadness to every member of our organization,” he said.
The F-16 had flown out of Truax Field Air National Guard Base in Madison. Planes from that base had been flying nighttime training missions earlier this week.
The crash occurred about 9 p.m. Tuesday in Delta County, north of the U.P.’s Garden Peninsula and about 250 miles northeast of the base. That area is part of the Hiawatha National Forest and is known for its dense woods and inland lakes. Local authorities, state police and U.S. Forest Service personnel responded to the scene the first night, setting up perimeters and organizing an initial search for a pilot they thought might have been able to eject from the jet before the crash. The U.S. Air Force sent a crew to the area by Wednesday to coordinate the operation.
The Wisconsin Air National Guard said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
“The 115th Fighter Wing is appreciative of the community support provided to its members and will release additional details as they become available.”
Prayer to This Patriots Family and Friends.
RIP
Bad news. See above.
Body found of pilot of Air National Guard F-16 that crashed in Michigan
DECEMBER 11, 2020 / 4:44 AM / CBS NEWS
The body of the pilot of an Air National Guard F-16 fighter jet that crashed during a routine training mission in Michigan Tuesday night has been found, officials said.
The person’s identify was being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin are notified.
The pilot was the only person on board the “Fighting Falcon” when it went down in the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing said. A multi-state, interagency search was launched for the pilot and plane.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
I have heard these theories/stories too. Something about Chinese troops killed? I half heard it while I had a podcast playing while sleeping. I gotta relisten.
RIP, buddy. You did your part for king and country. Now it is time for you to rest in the hands of God.
Crap, I really wish the mods had not pulled the comment down cause now I cannot follow this post
Pilot who died when F-16 jet crashed in Upper Peninsula was decorated combat veteran
TANDA GMITER | TGMITER@MLIVE.COM DECEMBER 11, 2020
DELTA COUNTY, MI - The Air National Guard pilot who died when his F-16 fighter jet crashed into a national forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Tuesday night was a husband, father of two, and a decorated combat veteran who had flown three tours of duty.
Authorities on Friday identified Air Force Capt. Durwood “Hawk” Jones, 37, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the pilot killed when the plane went down in the Hiawatha National Forest, according to the Associated Press.
“Our primary concern and focus right now is for the family of the pilot,” 115th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Bart Van Roo said at a press conference Friday morning, held at Truax Field at the Wisconsin Air National Guard Base in Madison.
The F-16 had flown out of the Truax base on Tuesday night. Planes from that base had been flying nighttime training missions earlier this week. Van Roo said Friday the 115th Fighter Wing planes are currently grounded in the aftermath of the crash. He had no information on when those pilots and aircraft would be allowed back in the sky.
Jones, who is survived by his wife and two children, joined the Air National Guard in 2011, according to the AP. He was deployed to Japan in 2015, then Korea in 2017 and later to Afghanistan in 2019. During the course of his service, Jones was awarded two Air Medals given to service members who have been either exposed to or faced significant risk of hostile action.
The plane went down about 9 p.m. Tuesday night, north of the U.P.’s Garden Peninsula and about 250 miles from the Wisconsin air base. Local authorities, search-and-rescue personnel and U.S. Forest Service workers responded initially to the area until members of the military and the 115th Fighter Wing arrived on scene on Wednesday. Local law enforcement closed roads and were in close contact with the military until they could arrive at the site. Rough terrain and poor cell phone service were challenges at the scene.
A small area of the Hiawatha National Forest remains closed as investigators continue their work at the crash site. The U.S. Forest Service released a map of the closed-off area today, and spelled out possible fines and other penalties for people who venture into that area.
A section of the Hiawatha National Forest remains closed to visitors as the F-16 crash investigation continues.
Van Roo said a three-phase investigation is underway to determine the cause and details of the crash. It will examine pre-flight activity and what occurred during the jet’s last flight. The comprehensive accident investigation board phase could take up to a year to complete, Van Roo said.
He declined to say whether the National Guard knew if Jones went down with the plane, or if he had ejected before the crash. During the initial response to the crash scene, local authorities had been given broad locations to search for the pilot if an ejection had occurred, according to local media reports and emergency scanner traffic from the scene.
The 115th Fighter Wing has about 1,200 members, including 500 full-time airmen, the AP said. The F-16s have been part of the unit since 1992. Looking to replace these aging aircraft, the 115th is expected to get the new F-35 fighter planes beginning in 2023.
The crash that killed Jones was the 115th’s third F-16 crash in 25 years. The previous two crashes were not fatal, the AP said
Authorities on Friday identified Air Force Capt. Durwood “Hawk” Jones, 37, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, a husband, father of two, and a decorated combat veteran who had flown three tours of duty. Capt. Durwood Jones died Tuesday, Dec. 8
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