Saturday, March 31, 2001

By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes

Staff Sgt. William Greer / USAF Staff Sgt. Anton Pranke, a crew chief with the 493rd Fighter Squadron, salutes as Capt. Garren Roberts taxis out of a hangar at RAF Lakenheath on Friday. The 493rd flew its first mission since the squadron lost two F-15C fighters in a crash Tuesday in Scotland.

RAF LAKENHEATH, England — Moments after two Air Force F-15 fighters crashed in the Scottish Highlands, the e-mails started coming.

Messages from around the corner and around the world offered prayers and condolences to the families of the officers lost while flying a low-level training mission in the mountains. Some of the e-mails arrived before the Air Force even identified the pilots, Lt. Col. Kenneth Hyvonen and Capt. Kirk Jones.

They popped into the Lakenheath base public affairs mailbox from retired Air Force veterans, aviation enthusiasts and local British nationals.

"Very sorry to hear about your two aircraft and crew that crashed in Scotland," British national M. Oughton wrote. "My thoughts go out to the relatives of these highly skilled pilots who serve in the United Kingdom."

Peter and Bobby Tuckfield, both British nationals, wrote, "My wife and I wish to convey our sympathies to all officers and men serving in the United Kingdom on the tragic loss of the pilots from Lakenkeath. God Bless."

Tom Lund of Fishers, Ind., offered his condolences and wrote that it is unfortunate most Americans found out about the 48th Fighter Wing through the accident. Both pilots were attached to the wing, the only Air Force F-15 unit in Europe.

"I also want to personally thank you as an American for the job all of you do for all of us every day," he wrote. "We live in freedom today because of what you and your predecessors have done year after year."

Don Bole, a retired Air Force staff sergeant, heard about the two F-15Cs missing and was compelled to fire off a note.

"I retired recently, but my heart and life is still in the Air Force," he wrote. "My heart goes out to all of you because of the two pilots that are missing. I will be praying for them."

Many aviation fans also sent messages. It didn’t surprise many airmen. Dozens of "tail watchers" plant themselves in special spots around the runway and watch the jets take off everyday as a hobby. They have always embraced U.S. military personnel, especially the fliers.

"The watchers at the gate, whose lives are enriched by the sight and sound of jets, feel it when the fliers don’t come home," a British national named Mike wrote.

Roger Smith, chairman of the Lowestoft Aviation Society, expressed his deep regret on behalf of his organization’s members.

"As aircraft enthusiasts, we have often been to RAF Lakenheath to watch your F-15s fly in and out of the base," Smith wrote. "We have also been impressed by the friendliness and professionalism of your crews when we have met them at air shows around the United Kingdom. Would you please let the families and friends know that it is not only Americans who grieve at the loss of your two F-15 pilots, but us here in the United Kingdom, too. We send our sincere condolences to you at this difficult time."

RELATED STORY:
          Searchers find second body at crash site in Scotland

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