July 6, 2004 (by Anonymous) -
We are sad to announce the passing of a long time F-16 pilot, Lt. Col Mark "Dutchy" DeCesari. Mark started off flying the Viper at Hahn AB, GE, was a FWS grad and a decorated Desert Storm vet, and was a squadron operations officer with the Tucson ANG when he died unexpectedly of a heart attack on June 21, 2004.
In fact, Mark flew an F16 training sortie that morning and then passed away at home that evening. He was an unforgettable character, one many in the Viper community knew well.
As a respected FTU instructor at Tucson, Mark also left a lasting legacy with today's current crop of Viper pilots. He accumulated more than
3,000 hours in the F-16.
He will be missed and I'm sure many of his fellow flyers would like to know that one great F-16 pilot has gone to be with the Lord.
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