March 20, 2000 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
A pilot assigned to the 78th Fighter Squadron here was killed when his F-16 fighter aircraft crashed at approximately 12:45 p.m. Sunday in an area north of Naval Air Station Kingsville, Kingsville Texas.
Maj. Brison Phillips, a member of the F-16 East Coast Demonstration Team, also known as the Ninth Air Force Demonstration Team, crashed while participating in an officially sanctioned airshow.
Phillips was an instructor pilot and mission commander with more than 2,600 flying hours, including more than 2,300 in the F-16. A 13-year Air Force veteran, Phillips received his commission as a distinguished graduate of Texas A&M University Reserve Officers Training Corps Program.
Phillips flew more than 130 combat sorties in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Northern Watch and Deny Flight.
A board of officers is investigating the accident.
