Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot found dead after fighter jet crash
The pilot of a Wisconsin Air National Guard fighter jet that crashed in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has been found dead.
The crash Tuesday night in a rural, heavily wooded area of the Hiawatha National Forest sparked a massive search for the pilot, who was based at the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison and was running a training mission described as “routine” in an F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Guard said.
The Guard is withholding the pilot’s identity until it can notify family members. Another update on the crash is expected Friday.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” Col. Bart Van Roo of the 115th Fighter Wing said in a statement.
“Today is a day for mourning, and the 115th Fighter Wing along with the entire Wisconsin National Guard stands with the pilot’s family as we grieve the loss of a great Airman, and patriot,” the statement continues.
“We are an extremely close knit group at the fighter wing, and the loss of one of our own brings immeasurable sadness to every member of our organization,” Van Roo said.
The 115th Fighter Wing is conducting evening training missions this week, according to its Facebook page, with aircraft taking off or landing as late as 10 p.m. Pilots are tasked with following flight paths designed to minimize noise to residents.
In 2011, a pilot flying the same kind of aircraft from the 115th Fighter Wing survived after ejecting himself over Adams County during a training mission. The aircraft was found south of New Chester after it hit an unoccupied summer cottage.