Forum: F-16 News

If anybody is interested, here is a link that contains info on a trust fund for Maj. Gilbert's family, and other familes who've suffered similar losses.

56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs wrote:

Luke pilot named in Iraq F-16 crash

56th Fighter Wing

11/30/2006 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The Department of Defense announced Wednesday the identity of a Luke Airman listed as Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown. Maj. Troy L. Gilbert was the pilot of an Air Force F-16 engaged in support of coalition ground combat operations that crashed approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad Monday.

As the Thunderbolt went to press Thursday, Major Gilbert's status was listed as "Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown." "Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown" is an interim designation used while official verification of a service member's status is conclusively determined.

"Everyone's priority at this time is providing as much factual information and support as possible to the Gilbert family," said Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander, in an announcement to Phoenix area media on Wednesday. "We are in constant contact with Air Force officials in Iraq and at U.S. Central Command Air Forces, and we are providing updates to the family as soon as we receive the information," the general said.

Major Gilbert deployed in September from the 309th Fighter Squadron to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to CENTAF, Major Gilbert was actively supporting coalition ground combat operations at the time of the crash.

Major Gilbert has been assigned to Luke since March 2004. He has served as an instructor pilot and was the assistant director of operations for the 309th Fighter Squadron. For two years, he served as the 56th FW's executive flying officer.

"Major Gilbert is well known here at Luke," General Jones said. "He is an outstanding officer, an outstanding pilot, and an outstanding friend to many people here. But most importantly, above all else, he treasures his family and is a man of strong faith and conviction.

"We have devoted a strong and compassionate team of friends from our base to support the family in this difficult time. The Luke family is close-knit and this news affects us all."

FAMILY STATEMENT

The following is a statement from the Gilbert family to the Phoenix, West Valley community.

"Troy was first and foremost a wonderful husband and father. His Christian faith, personal values, and work ethic guided his personal life and his career as a military officer. He was highly respected by and deeply loved by so many. At the time of the tragedy during combat operations, he was unselfishly protecting the lives of other American military members. We, his family, cherish the worldwide prayers and support during this extremely difficult time."

TRUST FUND FOR GILBERTS ESTABLISHED

For members of the public interested in assisting the Gilbert family, Fighter Country Partnership, a community support organization for the men and women of Luke Air Force Base, has established a sub account under the 5013C Foundation for the Gilbert Family.

The title of this account is "The Gilbert Family." Interested members of the public may write a check to "The Gilbert Family" and drop the check off at any Credit Union West Branch or they can mail the check to Fighter Country Partnership at 500 North Estrella (estraya) Parkway, Suite B-2, PMB #479, Goodyear, Arizona, 85338. Fighter Country Partnership emphasizes that this may be a tax deductible donation. For more information, contact Steve Yamamori, FCP executive director, at (602) 369-3531.

For any member of the public using a financial institution outside Arizona, you can ask the financial institution for assistance in electronically wiring the funds directly to the Gilbert family account. For information on electronic wiring, financial institutions can contact Robin Reed at Credit Union West at (602) 631-3218 for more information, to include routing/account information.

http://www.luke.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123033323

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From the AirForceTimes

AirForceTimes wrote:

Air Force analyzing remains found at F-16 crash site

Staff reports

Maj. Troy L. Gilbert, whose F-16GC Fighting Falcon crashed Monday in Iraq, was described as a husband and father of five who always did what it took to get the mission done.

Four days after the crash, Gilbert, 34, was still officially considered missing, although the Air Force retrieved human remains from the crash site, according to a Central Air Forces statement. The service was waiting on DNA testing to identify the remains.

“Troy was first and foremost a wonderful husband and father,” a statement from his family said. “His Christian faith, personal values, and work ethic guided his personal life and his career as a military officer.

“He was highly respected by and deeply loved by so many. At the time of the tragedy during combat operations, he was unselfishly protecting the lives of other American military members. We, his family, cherish the worldwide prayers and support during this extremely difficult time.”

Gilbert was flying a close-air support mission backing up ground troops in Anbar province, the area of Iraq where many of the country’s Sunni insurgent groups operate, when his jet crashed. Air Force officials haven’t said why the plane crashed, although they said there was no evidence it had been shot down.

Iraqi insurgents claimed a shoulder-fired, anti-aircraft missile downed the jet.

Insurgents reached Gilbert before the U.S. military quick-reaction team did. Videotape pictures obtained by Associated Press Television News appear to show the wreckage of the F-16 in the farm field where it crashed and the nearby remains of a U.S. serviceman with a tangled parachute.

At the time of the crash, Gilbert was deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq. He had arrived there in September from his assignment at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., where he was an instructor pilot and deputy director of operations for the 309th Fighter Squadron.

Gilbert was commissioned in 1994 after earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from Texas Tech University. After two tours as a protocol officer, he entered the pilot training program and graduated from the F-16 course in 2001. He served at the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, until being assigned to Luke in 2003

Source: http://www.airforcetimes.com/story.php? ... 391876.php

warning, disturbing image in link, appears to be Major Gilbert in his parachute

This image made from videotape footage obtained by AP Television News, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006, appears to show the wreckage of a U.S. single-seat F-16CG jet in the farm field where it crashed Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, and the remains of an American serviceman with a tangled parachute nearby. U.S. forces investigating the crash said that insurgents had reached the site before American forces could and the pilot is missing.

:: Link removed by moderator ::

Newbie Joined: Nov 12, 2006 - 07:58 PM Posts: 5

My prayers are with Major Gilbert's family.

I am a 309th "Wild Duck" maintainer and was, needless to say, shocked when I found out that he was from our unit. My prayers go out to his family. It is a sad day when you lose someone from your unit, you just never expect it to happen this way.

Think shot down by a Druganov sniper bullet by Juba or someone like him, Ak-47 fire or an aerial IED.

Yeah it was definitely a sniper bullet by the famed JUBA... You got to be sh*tting me.

The most possible explanation of the crash:

Quote:

How the RAF Hercules C130 was shot down in Iraq
Friday, May 20, 2005

I'm reluctant to write about this. The story is based on an anonymous source (or sources) who has viewed a military report that has not yet been released, and the report itself is only an interim report. If I get this wrong and rioting breaks out, I'll have to retract this post, and then my credibility, such as it is, will be in shambles. So with those caveats, which I recommend to all journalists everywhere...

On January 30, a Royal Air Force Hercules C130, a transport plane, went down in Iraq causing the greatest loss to British forces in any one incident. Speculation surged for a few days as to the cause, then was forgotten.

On Tuesday Thomas Harding of the Telegraph wrote that a cause has been determined—

Thomas Harding wrote:

An interim Ministry of Defence report has ruled out almost everything apart from enemy fire and it was suggested that a missile or rocket-propelled grenade could have brought down the aircraft.

But an official told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that the report concluded that the Hercules had been shot down by anti-aircraft artillery, as it flew at a low altitude, possibly 150ft.

"It was shredded by a multi-barrelled 20mm canon," the official said. "They have worked out that's what caused the crash."

The gun is believed to have been a 1960s twin-barrel Zu-23, made in China or the Soviet Union, left over from the Saddam Hussein regime.

It has an effective range of 2,000 yards and can be mounted on a lorry or set on wheels.

It is not known why the Hercules, which was equipped with sophisticated defensive measures, was flying at low altitude for the 40-minute trip.

Source: http://simplyappalling.blogspot.com/200 ... wn-in.html

It seems there are even flack left down there

I received this message from Col. 'Jed' Nelson (Ret.) the other day. He was our Wing Commander in the Gulf and the person who kept us together during our darkest days. He put it better than I ever could:

Col. 'Jed' Nelson (Ret.) wrote:

There are things in this world worth dying for. Old Glory is one of those things. I have been on the road this month speaking at schools and churches about Veterans Day. I have been very supportive of the troops and the war effort. A person asked me one day how I could say the things I did since I haven't had to die for the cause. My only response is that the dying is easy, so easy we will all be very good at it some day. The heart stops and it's over. The hard part is the decision, the decision to serve your country knowing that it could mean you could die for that decision. Whether you died or lived you still made the decision. You made that decision when you took the oath. Every man and woman in uniform looked that possibility in the eye and said my family and country are worth the risk. That is why I am so proud to know you and so many like you. Without you and those like you, including that F-16 pilot, Old Glory wouldn't be flying today. War is hell but somebody has to step up to it. Thank God for those with the courage to step up.

Check six, Jed.

Trojan stepped up. Lets step up ourselves, and show his family how our Viper family feels about his commitment and sacrifice. Here's the information on the trust funds for Major Gilbert's family. Many thanks to Shock, one of Trojan's fellow Luke Viper Instructors, for putting this info together.

Mike Kopack
_____________________

SCHOLARSHIP FUND:
The River Rats, through our Air Warrior Courage Foundation, is setting up federal 529 scholarship accounts for the Gilbert children. We are starting each account with an initial $2,000 ($10,000 total).

If you wish to donate to the scholarship funds for the children of Major Gilbert, write a check to the AWCF. In the "For" line, indicate "Gilbert Scholarship Fund".

Note that the AWCF is a River Rat Foundation set up for these purposes. As the River Rats & the AWCF are IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, your contributions are tax deductible. Mail the checks to the address below.

Air Warrior Courage Foundation
PO Box 132410
Tyler, TX 75713-2410

FAMILY TRUST FUND:
For members of the public interested in assisting the Gilbert family, Fighter Country Partnership, a community support organization for the men and women of Luke Air Force Base, has established a sub account under the 5013C Foundation for the Gilbert Family.

The title of this account is "The Gilbert Family." Interested members of the public may write a check to "The Gilbert Family" and drop the check off at any Credit Union West Branch or they can mail the check to Fighter Country Partnership at 500 North Estrella (estraya) Parkway, Suite B-2, PMB #479, Goodyear, Arizona, 85338. Fighter Country Partnership emphasizes that this may be a tax deductible donation. For more information, contact Steve Yamamori, FCP executive director, at (602) 369-3531.

For any member of the public using a financial institution outside Arizona, you can ask the financial institution for assistance in electronically wiring the funds directly to the Gilbert family account. For information on electronic wiring, financial institutions can contact Robin Reed at Credit Union West at (602) 631-3218 for more information, to include routing/account information.

seattlepi.com wrote:

F-16 pilot downed in Iraq listed as KIA

Sunday, December 3, 2006
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- An American pilot whose F-16 fighter jet went down in Iraq was listed as killed in action following DNA analysis of remains recovered at the crash site, the U.S. Air Force said Sunday.

Maj. Troy L. Gilbert, 34, was supporting troops fighting in Anbar province, where many of the country's Sunni-Arab insurgent groups operate. Videotape footage obtained by Associated Press Television News after the crash appeared to show the wreckage of the F-16CG in a field and a tangled parachute nearby.

Remains recovered at the crash site 20 miles north of Baghdad were identified as Gilbert's, the Air Force said.

U.S. forces investigating the crash have said insurgents reached the site before American forces could. The cause of the crash is under investigation, but officials said they did not believe Gilbert was shot down.

Last edited by J.J. on Dec 04, 2006 - 06:42 AM; edited 1 time in total

USAF news release:

Quote:

F-16 pilot status confirmed

12/3/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Maj. Troy L. Gilbert, the pilot of the Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon engaged in support of coalition ground combat operations that crashed approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad Nov. 27, was officially listed as killed in action.

Positive identification was made through DNA analysis by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Gilbert family as they grieve the loss of a husband, father, son, son-in-law and Air Force warrior and patriot," said Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces. "His loss is felt by Troy's entire Air Force family."

Major Gilbert was flying in direct support of coalition ground combat operations when his plane crashed Nov. 27. Until the positive identification was made on Dec. 1 from human remains recovered from the crash site, U.S. Central Command Air Forces had listed Maj. Gilbert as "duty status whereabouts unknown." The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Major Gilbert was assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and was deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq.

(Courtesy of U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs)

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123033700

332nd AEW PA news release:

Quote:

Wing suffers great loss in crash southwest of Balad

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

12/2/2006 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have identified Maj. Troy "Trojan" Gilbert as pilot of the F-16C aircraft that crashed approx-imately 30 miles southwest of Balad Nov. 27.

Major Gilbert is assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group as the standardization and evaluation chief. He is deployed from the 309th Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was flying an F-16C deployed from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. At the time of the crash, he was actively engaged in support of coalition ground combat operations.

USCENTAF officials have classified Major Gilbert as "duty status-whereabouts unknown" until DNA analysis can be conducted on forensic evidence retrieved from the crash site.

Coalition reconnaissance assets and fighter aircraft were overhead at the time of the crash and confirmed insurgents were in the vicinity of the site immediately following the crash. Ground forces secured the scene as soon as ground combat operations in the area ceased.

"Please keep the Gilbert family and the men and women at Luke Air Force Base in your thoughts and prayers," said Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander. (U.S. CENTAF Public Affairs contributed to this article)

http://www.balad.afnews.af.mil/news/sto ... =123033680

Today, a memorial service was held at Balad AB. Also today, 332nd AEW PA released a small-sized photo of Maj. Troy “Trojan” Gilbert: http://www.balad.afnews.af.mil/shared/i ... -043-s.jpg (USAF photo by Airman 1st Class Chad Kellum). I wait for a hi-res version.

Attached is a slighlty larger version of this USAF photo of Maj. Troy "Trojan" Gilbert was already adopted by "Yahoo! News" from AP on November 29, 2006.

This "undated photo provided by the Air Force" (according to AP) was clearly taken at Balad AB during the last weeks (note the pilot's desert flight suite and the GBU-12 - probably one of two slant-mounted GBU-12s on station 3). I still await a hi-res version of this picture, possibly given today (Monday) on 332nd AEW´s public main website.

Original photo link: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... 42530a75eb

Later today (Monday), I will give an updated "personal review" of this incident with some important open questions (related to official CENTCOM/USAF news releases, some video footage (published by news media, but partially eliminated from this topic by the F-16.net staff - probably related to irreverence or impiety), Maj. Gilbert´s still non-disclosed wing man during his last combat mission, and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) efforts of HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, also deployed to Balad AB as the only USAF CSAR unit in theatre.

Yesterday or today, 332nd AEW PA uploaded the following mid-es version of the picture above: http://www.balad.afnews.af.mil/shared/m ... 8K-043.jpg

I know we lost a great warrior, a HERO, and I grieve as much as anyone on here, I pray for Maj. Gilbert... But part of the news seriously bugged me, more than that, it ticked me off... insurgents reached the site before American forces could. How are they even approaching the site when we have aircraft roaring above it? Is it too hard to post a few Longbows there and spray 30mm to anything that moves around the site? It just ticked me off.

Luke community rallies to support downed pilot's family
by Lt. Col. John Paradis
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123034189

12/6/2006 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- A Luke AFB pilot killed in action Nov. 27 in Iraq was remembered by Air Force leaders and friends as a warrior-patriot who made a difference in everything he did in a ceremony Dec. 6 here.

Maj. Troy L. Gilbert's F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed while flying a combat mission in support of ground forces in Anbar Province, 20 miles northwest of Baghdad.

Major Gilbert was deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, in September from the 309th Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB.

"The 56th Fighter Wing extends its heartfelt condolences to the Gilbert family for such a heavy loss," said Brig. Gen. Noel T. Jones, the 56th Fighter Wing commander. "This news and the deep sense of sorrow we feel here should serve as a reminder to Americans about the sacrifice borne by the men and women of our armed forces. Major Gilbert will be remembered here as a patriot, warrior and a proud American who volunteered to serve in his nation's Air Force."

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The pilot's death has reverberated throughout the Air Force's F-16 community. The major was the first F-16 pilot to die in Iraq since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Gilbert family as they grieve the loss of a husband, father, son, son-in-law and Air Force warrior-patriot," said Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the top U.S. Air Force commander in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters.

Major Gilbert, who finished undergraduate pilot training in 2001, was deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB and logged more than 130 combat hours, Air Force officials said. The major had been assigned to Luke AFB since 2004 and was assistant director of operations, executive officer of wing flying, a flight commander and chief of training.

A friend who flew with the major at Aviano AB in Italy said the major was the best leader he had ever seen.

"The Air Force has lost a great leader and officer who was destined for greatness," said Capt. Bart Wilbanks, a flight commander at Hill AFB's 34th Fighter Squadron in Utah. "His family is going to miss a Dad, a husband and we are going to miss a good friend ... we don't know what happened yet, but Troy would do what it took to save other lives."

At Luke AFB, members of the 309th FS and Major Gilbert's former Luke AFB squadron, the 62nd Fighter Squadron, rallied around to support the major's family -- a wife and five children.
"If there was one pilot you would build a squadron around, he was Troy Gilbert," said Lt. Col. Pete Davey, commander of the 309th FS. "The best way we can honor such a great man is to now support his family."

Family members said the major was a man who always knew what he wanted. He wanted to be a pilot; he also wanted to travel and he wanted a family. They said he was a man of strong faith, a great father and leader. A memorial fund established by Luke AFB's community support organization, Fighter Country Partnership, will help the family.

"Major Troy Gilbert's family has been overwhelmed by the prayers and support received from the Air Force community and friends from across the world. Words cannot express our true measure of gratitude," said a statement read to Phoenix-area news media Dec. 3. "The efforts of the Fighter Country Partnership and other community groups in Arizona and other locations toward establishing the Gilbert Family Memorial Fund; the outpouring of messages; and the generosity of the Luke AFB team has been simply tremendous. While the loss of Troy has been devastating to us, we should not fail to pray for those who are still involved in the unsafe conditions in Iraq and in other parts of the world where the lives of our brave military are in danger."

People interested in making a tax deductible donation to assist the Gilbert family may write a check to "The Gilbert Family" and drop the check off at any Credit Union West Branch or mail it to Fighter Country Partnership at 500 North Estrella Parkway, Suite B-2, PMB#479, Goodyear, Ariz., 85338. For more information, contact Steve Yamamori, FCP executive director, at (602) 369-3531.

"Troy was not only a comrade but was a friend to many," said General Jones. "He served with courage and commitment and believed in duty, honor and country. He will be sorely missed by those privileged to serve with him. The Gilberts will always be part of the Air Force family, and Luke Air Force Base will always be their home."

(Courtesy Air Education and Training Command News Service)

Forum: F-16 News

F-16 down in Iraq