Sagey
26th Jul 2001, 18:39
TRAINING CRASH TRAGEDY OF 'GIFTED' RAF FLIER
Thursday 26 July 2001 2:36pm
Tributes have been paid to an "enthusiastic and gifted" young RAF pilot who died during a training exercise in Alaska.
The body of 28-year-old Flight Lieutenant Jason Hayes, based at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk, was found in the wreckage of the single-seater British Jaguar plane in a remote area west of Eagle, near the Canadian border.
His station commander said people at the base were shocked and saddened and that everyone's thoughts were with his widow, Rupee, his family and friends.
The Ministry of Defence said the crash happened at 9pm BST yesterday during a joint training exercise with the US Air Force, named Cope Thunder.
Group Captain Christopher Harper, station commander at RAF Coltishall, said: "To lose a bright, enthusiastic and gifted young pilot such as Jason has a deep effect on everyone at a close knit station such as RAF Coltishall.
"It is difficult to express the sense of shock and sadness that people at the station feel, but the welfare of Jason's family and friends are clearly uppermost in our thoughts. Everything possible is being done to assist them during this devastating and tragic time."
Flt Lt Hayes, originally from Aldershot, Hants, joined the RAF in February 1996 and was with the 54 Squadron.
An MoD spokesman said: "The precise circumstances are not yet known. As in all such circumstances, an RAF inquiry board will be formed to find out exactly what happened."
The single-seater plane was one of four jets taking part in Cope Thunder, a two-week international military air exercise.
The mission had been due to end tomorrow, officials at the Eielson Air Force Base said. The aircraft had apparently been running a normal mission simulating a ground attack when it disappeared from radar screens.
(c) Copyright Ananova Ltd 2001, all rights reserved.
Thursday 26 July 2001 2:36pm
Tributes have been paid to an "enthusiastic and gifted" young RAF pilot who died during a training exercise in Alaska.
The body of 28-year-old Flight Lieutenant Jason Hayes, based at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk, was found in the wreckage of the single-seater British Jaguar plane in a remote area west of Eagle, near the Canadian border.
His station commander said people at the base were shocked and saddened and that everyone's thoughts were with his widow, Rupee, his family and friends.
The Ministry of Defence said the crash happened at 9pm BST yesterday during a joint training exercise with the US Air Force, named Cope Thunder.
Group Captain Christopher Harper, station commander at RAF Coltishall, said: "To lose a bright, enthusiastic and gifted young pilot such as Jason has a deep effect on everyone at a close knit station such as RAF Coltishall.
"It is difficult to express the sense of shock and sadness that people at the station feel, but the welfare of Jason's family and friends are clearly uppermost in our thoughts. Everything possible is being done to assist them during this devastating and tragic time."
Flt Lt Hayes, originally from Aldershot, Hants, joined the RAF in February 1996 and was with the 54 Squadron.
An MoD spokesman said: "The precise circumstances are not yet known. As in all such circumstances, an RAF inquiry board will be formed to find out exactly what happened."
The single-seater plane was one of four jets taking part in Cope Thunder, a two-week international military air exercise.
The mission had been due to end tomorrow, officials at the Eielson Air Force Base said. The aircraft had apparently been running a normal mission simulating a ground attack when it disappeared from radar screens.
(c) Copyright Ananova Ltd 2001, all rights reserved.