Fri, Jun 26, 2009
Air Wing Has Resumed Flight Operations
Hill Air Force Base
officials confirmed an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot was killed at
about 2225 June 22 after the aircraft crashed on the Utah Test and
Training Range about 35 miles south of Wendover, Utah.
The pilot, Capt. George Bryan Houghton, 28, from the 388th
Fighter Wing, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in
2002.
When the mishap occurred, the pilot was part of a four-ship
formation of F-16s flying a close-air-support mission that involved
training with ground forces. The wing temporarily ceased flying
operations. Flight operations have since resumed.
Captain Houghton was a native of Candler, N.C.
"We can now confirm that we have lost a fellow pilot," said Col.
Scott Dennis, the 388th Fighter Wing commander, during a press
conference June 23. "After several hours of search and rescue
efforts, we have identified the pilot at the crash site."
Colonel Dennis said the immediate family was notified and the
Air Force's first priority was to support the pilot's family and
the Air Force's family during this time.
File Photo
"I want to thank everyone for their outpouring of support. I
just ask that you keep the pilot's family in your thoughts and
prayers," he said. "Every time we fly a training or combat mission,
the safety of our people is a top priority. We lost an
irreplaceable member of our Air Force. We will do all we can to
determine the cause of the mishap to ensure we are doing everything
possible to keep our military members free from harm."
A board of officials will convene to determine the cause of the
incident.
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