December 11, 2020
The name of the pilot of an F-16 fighter jet who was killed in a crash in the Upper Peninsula has still not been released. The Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing will not identify him until 24 hours after the family is notified. During a news conference this morning Colonel Bart Van Roo, commander of the 115th Fighter Wing, said there will be an extensive investigation.
“The initial portion has started now and usually takes up to one week to where we can get a more comprehensive safety investigation team here,” says Van Roo. “The second phase takes approximately 30 days and should give us an initial look. The full comprehensive investigation looks a little bit different. They look at everything and could take up to a year to get conclusions.”
Dec 11, 2020 2:11 PM
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing, Madison, Wis., performs manuevers at Hardwood Range in Necedah, Wis., during the annual Northern Lightning exercise August 13, 2020. Northern Lightning is a full-spectrum Counterland training exercise hosted at Volk Field ANGB, providing a tailored, cost effective and realistic combat training for the Air National Guard and Total Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Mary Greenwood)
The Wisconsin Air National Guard releases the name of the pilot killed in a training crash this week. Captain Durwood “Hawk” Jones went down with his F-16 fighter in a forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The unit’s commander, Colonel Bart Van Roo says the investigation into the crash is a deliberate process. The 115th Fighter Wing has grounded flights for now until investigators figure out what caused the crash. Jones was a decorated veteran of combat flights in Afghanistan.