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F-15E crashes in southwest Asia; pilot killed


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:salute:

The Associated Press

Posted : Thursday Mar 29, 2012 8:38:14 EDT

BOISE, Idaho Mountain Home Air Force Base officials say a fighter pilot flying an F-15 jet was killed in a crash near a base in southwest Asia.

Officials say another crew member was injured in Wednesday's crash and treated for minor injuries. Names of both have not yet been released.

More than 300 airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing in Mountain Home are deployed to support F-15E missions helping deliver combat air support for joint fighting operations. The region includes operations in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran.

The crash is under investigation, and military officials have released few details.

Fighter Wing Commander Col. Ron Buckley says it's a sad day for the unit and the loss of the crew members is being mourned.

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Edited by RockyController
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Very sad news, my thoughts go out to the family & friends of the pilot.

My friend "Pitbull" flies the F-15E at MO, just talked to him last week and he is in Vegas for training. He got back from the sandbox last Fall.

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Pilot has been identified

by KTVB.COM

Posted on March 29, 2012 at 3:43 PM

Updated yesterday at 11:24 PM

MOUNTAIN HOME -- The Department of Defense has released the identity of the Mountain Home A.F.B. pilot killed Wednesday while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Military officials say Capt. Francis D. Imlay, 31, of Vacaville, CA., died March 28 at 9:06 a.m. in an accident involving an F-15 aircraft near a base in Southwest Asia.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

Imlay was assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron, "Bold Tigers" from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

Officials from Mountain Home Air Force base say Imlay -- whose call sign is "Piston" -- died from injuries suffered during the crash.

MHAFB Commander Col. Ron Buckley shared a prepared statement with the media expressing his condolences to Imlay's family.

"It is with a heavy heart I inform you we lost a valued member of the Gunfighter family yesterday," Buckley said. "Today we mourn the loss of one of our warriors, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and coworkers during this time. He was a true professional and his dedication to the Gunfighter family will not soon be forgotten."

He "has about 2500 flying hours was an exceptional fighter pilot but more importantly a dedicated husband and father to two,†Buckey told KTVB.

Imlay had a 4-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter.

Imlay's family released the following statement:

"The family of Air Force Capt. Dee Imlay, very much appreciates the outpouring of support that they have received from their friends and community. Imlay was a pilot assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and was recently killed during action in an F-15E mishap. His family thanks the media for understanding the difficulty that they are having dealing with the loss of their son, husband and father."

Later this week, Imlay's body will be returned to his family in Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. There is a memorial in the works for Mountain Home, but no details are yet available. There will also be a scholarship in memory of Imlay.

More than 300 Mountain Home AFB Airmen remain deployed in support F-15E overseas contingency missions designed to deliver combat air power for joint operations and to meet ground commander requirements

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