F/A-18 down nr Lakenheath

[EF-111]

A tragic loss.

My sincere condolences to both his immediate family, and VMFA-232--his second family

R.I.P.

Steve.

[deerhunter]

Just heard the news, my daughter phoned me to say she had seen it on the news. Very sad RIP and blue skies.

[TeeJay]

RIP.

Sad, sad loss, especially as on his way home.
Condolences to the pilots family, friends and colleagues.

Trev

[balamorybuzzed]

Can't believe the news, absolute tragedy. I watched the formation transit nw over St Andrews at 11.21 this morning totally unaware of the circumstances.

R.I.P.

Michael

[Mark Owen]

RIP blue skies

Regards.

Mark.

[MilanO]

Very sad news.

R.I.P.

[Blackcat1]

Gutted to hear the loss of Mazda 43. After a long tour in the middle East, to lose your life on your way home! So sad.
My condolences to all.

[lhrlima]

Tragic news
R.I.P

Steve.

[planesonthenet]

Very sad day. Listened to it unfold on comms. Within 15 minutes of Mazda departure it was apparent something was wrong. My mind couldn't help wonder to the recent Battle of Britain 75th anniversary commemoration when loss of life was a daily occurrence. My sympathies to all involved and the pilot's family especially.

Bobby Kennedy put it so well,
"My favorite poet was Aeschylus, and he once wrote:

Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart,
until, in our own despair,
against our will,
comes wisdom
through the awful grace of God.

[bobthehandyman]

So very sad to hear the news, thoughts are with those who have to carry on with life, wishing them all the very best.

[C24]

Our condolences to the family of Mazda43.

May your spirit continue to fly. R.I.P.

[starfighter]

Very sad news , let's all just take stock of what has sadly happened and spare a thought,for all concerned,
Both for his actual family and his working family.
Think it wood be a good idea if the fine working mods removed any speculative untrue and stupid rumours,
Before the rest of us read them and quite rightly get very annoyed.
This is a time of reflection not speculation.
Thank you.
Steve.

[Gary]

I've removed a handful of posts

The FC team again ask that no speculative posts about the cause/happenings/outcome are made.

Thank you

[starfighter]

I have seen that the post has been removed ,
Thanks very much.
Steve.

[Pete_uk]

Was the tanker from Brize?

RIP to the pilot and best wishes to his friends and family.

[Agent K]

Was the tanker from Brize?

I'd doubt it very much, this was a USMC aircraft and positioning flight, I'd assume US tankers were involved. Although I'm happy to be corrected if alternative facts are known.

[sschofield]

US tankers - There was a 100ARW KC-135R with the group (58-0069), which diverted to Lossie with the Hornets. There was also at least 1 (and quite possibly 2) KC-10s at Shannon for the crossing.

[Blackcat1]

Pilot identified here hope its OK to post. Godbless.

Http://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/f ... _1_4280554

[albur99]

https://www.gofundme.com/inmemoryoftaj

Hope its not considered off-topic to advertise the fact that a fund has been started for the deceased pilots' family.

rgds
Alan

[Snoop 95]

Looking at page 102 UK News section BBC Teletext this morning..saying Major Taj Sareen's body has been repatriated to the U.S.
correct me if i'm wrong,thought this had already happened recently.

You are right. As I recall that happened within a very few days of the incident, but I can't find documentary evidence of it.