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Air Force pilot killed participating in Operation Inherent Resolve
Stars and Stripes ^ | Dec 1, 2014 | Jon Harper

Posted on 12/01/2014 6:10:13 PM PST by Jet Jaguar

A U.S. Air Force pilot taking part in Operation Inherent Resolve was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed due to maintenance problems, according to the Pentagon.

The crash occurred late Sunday Washington time.

The Defense Department is calling it a “noncombat-related incident”, but acknowledged the aircraft was on its way to Iraq or Syria to participate in ongoing operations against the Islamic State when things went wrong.

“The aircraft was returning to its base in the Middle East” when the crash occurred, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said. “Apparently there were some maintenance problems on takeoff. It turned around and unfortunately was not able to land.”

No one was injured beside the pilot, according to Warren.

First responders remain on the scene and the cause of the crash is under investigation, he said.

It was unclear Monday why the pilot was unable to eject before the aircraft crashed, Warren said.

The name of the pilot will not be released until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

The crash did not occur in Iraq or Syria, Warren noted. He declined to identify which country the pilot and aircraft were stationed in due to host nation sensitivities.

The pilot’s death constitutes the third U.S. military fatality from Operation Inherent Resolve. On Oct. 23, Marine Lance Cpl. Sean Neal died in Iraq from a noncombat related injury. On Oct. 1, Marine Cpl. Jordan Spears was lost at sea while conducting flight operations in the North Arabian Gulf.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: airmen; fallen; planecrash; usaf
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To: ConorMacNessa

Here’s a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old
Then down we roar to score the rainbow’s pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!

God bless this airman!


21 posted on 12/01/2014 6:39:49 PM PST by FamiliarFace
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To: Red_Devil 232

Maybe they weren’t able to account for the seat safing pin. Far as “maintenance”, that’s the only thing I can think of in this kind of situation. Otherwise, they’d go with something like “catastrophic failure” or “pilot error”.


22 posted on 12/01/2014 6:41:12 PM PST by jagusafr (the American Trinity (Liberty, In G0D We Trust, E Pluribus Unum))
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To: BatGuano

It happens, I saw seat belts put in backwards. Then upon correction the seat was put in incorrectly.

then there’s the front landing gear put on wrong, causing them to collapse breaking the pilots neck.

Maintenance problems happen unfortunately.


23 posted on 12/01/2014 6:41:25 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: BatGuano

I noticed that, too.

I wonder if the terminology was just a matter if ignorance on the part of those reporting on the incident, or if they really meant “maintenance problem”.


24 posted on 12/01/2014 6:42:31 PM PST by WayneS (Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.)
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To: driftdiver

Depends on the mechanical failure.


25 posted on 12/01/2014 6:43:58 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Good Muslims, like good Nazis or good liberals, are terrible human beings.)
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To: jagusafr
Otherwise, they’d go with something like “catastrophic failure” or “pilot error”.

Final report may read just like that.

26 posted on 12/01/2014 7:02:58 PM PST by xone
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To: Jet Jaguar

Damnation!

Always important but never a good ping when a pilot dies :(

Prayers for the family.


27 posted on 12/01/2014 7:07:35 PM PST by freedumb2003 (obozocare: shovel-ready health care)
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To: driftdiver
The F16 is a very stable aircraft

The F16 is an inherently UNstable aircraft ... the fly-by-wire computer keeps it from crashing. Lose the computer(s), lose the aircraft.

28 posted on 12/01/2014 7:08:08 PM PST by NorthMountain
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To: jagusafr

My first thought also, ejection seat safety pin not removed. But those things have very noticeable bright orange flags attached to them.


29 posted on 12/01/2014 7:09:21 PM PST by Red_Devil 232 ((VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!))
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To: NorthMountain

Its computers and its usually the engine.


30 posted on 12/01/2014 7:11:34 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Red_Devil 232; Jet Jaguar
How do they know it was due to maintenance problems?

I'm curious what they consider "maintenance problems". Stuff breaks...that's not maintenance. Are they saying mx did something wrong that caused the crash....

31 posted on 12/01/2014 7:14:09 PM PST by Half Vast Conspiracy (I'm done being even remotely civil.)
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To: Half Vast Conspiracy

When and if I find out. I will let you know.


32 posted on 12/01/2014 7:14:52 PM PST by Jet Jaguar (Resist in place.)
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To: driftdiver
usually the engine.

Singular ...

Still, it's a great aircraft with a long and favorable history. Sad to lose a pilot like this.

33 posted on 12/01/2014 7:16:23 PM PST by NorthMountain
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To: Jet Jaguar

Prayers for his family. Too bad anyone had to die for this president’s Operation Incoherent Dissolve.


34 posted on 12/01/2014 7:17:42 PM PST by Sparticus (Tar and feathers for the next dumb@ss Republican that uses the word bipartisanship.)
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To: Sparticus

One wonders if the Air Force is short on spare parts a la Carter’s military and cutting corners on repairs.


35 posted on 12/01/2014 7:20:57 PM PST by Sparticus (Tar and feathers for the next dumb@ss Republican that uses the word bipartisanship.)
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To: Sparticus

I’d be surprised if they werent.


36 posted on 12/01/2014 7:27:01 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Jet Jaguar

An F-16 crashed around a month ago at Tyndall. They recovered the body from the Gulf but I don’t think they know what kept him from ejecting.


37 posted on 12/01/2014 7:46:07 PM PST by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: driftdiver
"If you were over ISIS territory would you eject?"

The USAF said that it didn't happen in Iraq or Syria.

No mention of London, Twin Cities, or Buffalo, though.

38 posted on 12/01/2014 7:49:07 PM PST by Ready4Freddy
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To: yarddog

I saw that. It had me confused. That squadron takes retired jets and converts them into drones so they can be shot down later.


39 posted on 12/01/2014 7:50:01 PM PST by Jet Jaguar (Resist in place.)
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To: All

The location of the crash is reported to be Jordan.

Hence “host nation sensitivities”.


40 posted on 12/01/2014 7:59:32 PM PST by Ready4Freddy
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