Latest news with #SheppardAirForceBase
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Air Force releases report on fatal accident at Sheppard
The Air Force on Sunday released its report on an aircraft accident at Sheppard Air Force Base that resulted in the death of an instructor pilot. Capt. John Robertson died from injuries suffered on May 13, 2024 when an ejection seat on his T-6A Texas II aircraft activated as the plane taxied to park following a training mission. The report said Robertson failed to fully install the ejection seat safety pin following the flight and also partially disconnected from the rear cockpit ejection seat system, which included the parachute. "The instructor pilot's harness chest strap V-ring unknowlingly got caught on and inadvertently actuated the ejection seat control handle, initiating the ejection sequence," the report said. The Air Force said the student Robertson was instructing was not injured. Fellow instructor pilots remembered Robertson as a "fantastic officer" following his death. Robertson and his student pilot were both assigned to the 80th Operations Support Squadron and flew with the 89th Flying Training Squadron which are both subordinate units to the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard, the release said. More: 'A fantastic officer': Fellow officers remember Sheppard instructor pilot More: City to consider $1 million loan to local company This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Air Force releases report on fatal accident at Sheppard
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Air Force releases report on fatal accident at Sheppard
The Air Force on Sunday released its report on an aircraft accident at Sheppard Air Force Base that resulted in the death of an instructor pilot. Capt. John Robertson died from injuries suffered on May 13, 2024 when an ejection seat on his T-6A Texas II aircraft activated as the plane taxied to park following a training mission. The report said Robertson failed to fully install the ejection seat safety pin following the flight and also partially disconnected from the rear cockpit ejection seat system, which included the parachute. "The instructor pilot's harness chest strap V-ring unknowlingly got caught on and inadvertently actuated the ejection seat control handle, initiating the ejection sequence," the report said. The Air Force said the student Robertson was instructing was not injured. Fellow instructor pilots remembered Robertson as a "fantastic officer" following his death. Robertson and his student pilot were both assigned to the 80th Operations Support Squadron and flew with the 89th Flying Training Squadron which are both subordinate units to the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard, the release said. More: 'A fantastic officer': Fellow officers remember Sheppard instructor pilot More: City to consider $1 million loan to local company This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Air Force releases report on fatal accident at Sheppard
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tangled straps likely caused Air Force instructor pilot's death, report finds
An instructor pilot killed in a training mishap last year died after accidentally pulling the handle on his ejection seat, while not fully strapped in, Air Force investigators found. That's one of the findings that the Air Force Accident Investigation Board reached after several months investigating the death of Capt. John Robertson at Sheppard Air Force Base last May. Robertson, a respected instructor pilot with the 80th Flying Training Wing, was inside a T-6A Texan II plane taxiing on the ground when the aircraft's ejection seat suddenly activated, launching him 100 feet into the air. He was severely injured in the unplanned ejection and died in the early morning from his wounds after being taken to the hospital. The new report, released this past week but completed in May, found that Robertson likely did not fully insert the safety pin into his ejection seat upon landing. Air & Space Forces Magazine first reported on the findings. On May 13, 2024, Robertson had already completed one flight for the day, and was originally only scheduled for one. He and a pilot trainee flew their second flight and landed on the runway at the air base. While taxiing back, he and the trainee ran through their safety checklist. Shortly thereafter Robertson began unbuckling from his seat. He was partially 'The [Mishap Instructor Pilot] remained partially connected to, and seated in, the ejection seat until automatic seat/pilot separation,' the report said. 'The MIP separated from the seat 100 ft above the ground, fell headfirst through an aircraft sunshade, and landed on the ground 261 ft from the [Mishap Aircraft.' Emergency services were quickly called to respond to the incident and an ambulance reached Robertson just under 30 minutes after the mishap. He was rushed to a hospital where he later died. Investigators, after studying the scene of the mishap and running multiple simulations of the events, concluded that Robertson likely accidentally triggered the ejection seat while in the process of unbuckling himself. A strap, they found, likely caught onto the handle that would activate the ejection seat and when the instructor leaned a certain way, the strap pulled on the handle. The other pilot onboard the T-6A Texan did not eject when Robertson did and was unharmed. The T-6A aircraft itself was also heavily damaged from the mishap. Sheppard Air Force Base, in Wichita, Texas, is home to the 80th Flight Training Wing. It also serves as the hub for training pilots from NATO countries under the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. The other person onboard the T-6A Texan II when Robertson died was at Sheppard as part of that program. The Air Force Accident Investigation Board noted Robertson's many credentials and experience, describing him as 'very organized and meticulous.' He had been named Instructor Pilot of the Year for the previous year and had logged 719.7 total hours in T-6A, more than two thirds of those as an instructor. Investigators found that unbuckling while the plane is taxiing after a flight is not uncommon, and that there is no clear guideline for how long the instructor pilots should wait until they start unbuckling themselves from the cockpit's straps and seat. The U.S. Air Force uses several hundred T-6A Texan IIs for training lessons under the Air Education and Training Command. The planes have had mechanical issues in recent years. In 2022 several dozen T-6As were grounded after ejection seats were found to have faulty explosive cartridges. An Army base will now honor a Buffalo Soldier 2 aircraft carriers, 9 destroyers, and multiple fighter wings gather in the Middle East Marines and sailors are building trenches for the drone age The Army is deactivating police units in deep cuts to number of military cops Military intelligence battalion sergeant major arrested for DUI and suspended
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WF Chamber of Commerce hosts State of Economy forum: discuss growth, opportunities, and connection
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Opportunities, growth, and connection were at the top of the discussion during this year's 'State of the Economy' event hosted by the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, March 19. It was a packed house inside the Sikes Lake Center as city leaders, business owners and many others joined together to talk about growth for the City of Wichita Falls. Ron Kitchens, president and CEO of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, said the event is vital for change. '[It's] critically important to celebrate success. We have to craft a vision each year, and then we all got to make a commitment,' Kitchens said. 'We can either be victims of change or victors of change. Today was about creating victory for the future.' Kitchens also said strengthening connections with MSU and Sheppard Air Force Base would also be vital for the growth of Wichita Falls. 'Between MSU and Sheppard Air Force Base, that's about 60 percent of our local economy. They're critical not just today for jobs, but they're critical to our future,' Kitchens said. Kitchens said the Wichita Falls economy has been thriving over the past two years. 'You know, the national hiccups going on. We've got, you know, a $.5 billion in investment going on now. We've had $1 billion investment in the last 30 months,' Kitchens said. Kitchen mentioned that there are new jobs and significant announcements on the way for the city. Also at the event, Carol Wagner and Richard Bundy were named Wichitans of the Year. That is an award to recognize those who help shape the city. The chamber's next big event, Leader Fest 2025, is coming up in August. Click here for more information on how to get your tickets. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wichita Falls employee recognized for Sheppard Air Force Base efforts
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — One City of Wichita Falls employee recently won the Community Partner of the Year Award, which thanks those in the community for being active advocates and forcing change that helps Sheppard Air Force Base. The 82nd Mission Support Group awarded Karen Montgomery-Gagne the Community Partner of the Year. Gagne officially received this award on March 7 and will receive special recognition at the city council meeting on Tuesday, March 18. Commander Colonel John Hollister from the 82nd Mission Support Group praised Gagne for being a 'critical component' of the mission's continued success. 'We wanted to take the time to ensure that we were thanking those in the community that help SAFB. Mrs. Montgomery-Gagne has been a constant advocate and force for change to help advance the training missions,' Hollister said. 'Specific instances were taking the lead drafting the grant package for the DEAAG, advancing language to the 4A/4B boards for economic assistance to both DEAAG and BASH weed control. In addition, she is continually in communications with multiple base agencies regarding everything from utilities to obstructions in the local air space.' Gagne is the city's principal planner and has partnered with SAFB, the Sheppard Military Affairs Committee, and the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce on three different grant programs, including the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistant Grant Program. 'I feel very honored I have been given the opportunity both professionally and personally to be involved with Sheppard Air Force Base through the ENJJPT program,' Gagne said. 'I have enjoyed working with so many wonderful people at the 82nd while also getting to know all of the incredible people that come through Wichita Falls through ENJJPT. This community is very blessed to have this Air Force installation here locally.' She and her family have been ENJJPT co-sponsors for the Italian delegation since 2013. They welcome new students when they arrive in Wichita Falls, which allows the students to connect locally. Director of Development Services Terry Floyd expressed gratitude for Gagne and praised her hard work for SAFB and the entire community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
