An F-16C fighter assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan AB, South Korea, crashed Feb. 25 during a routine training mission, according to officials with Osan’s 51st Fighter Wing. The pilot, whose name was not initially released, ejected safely and was transported to the base hospital, they said. A board of officers will investigate the accident. Stars and Stripes reported Feb. 27 that the mishap occurred when the aircraft had nearly touched down for landing. It did not catch fire and remained structurally intact after the crash, according to the newspaper.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.