Capt. Nicholas Giglio, an F-16 pilot from Shaw Air Force Base, is presumed dead after his aircraft collided with another F-16 off the South Carolina Coast.  Based on testimony from the other pilot, Capt. Lee Bryant, who was able to land at Charleston AFB, and the fact that the automated beacon initiated by ejection never came on, the Air Force has concluded that Capt. Giglio did not survive the initial impact.

The Air Force has transitioned from rescue to recovery.

According to the Wing Commander, the 32-year-old Capt Giglio leaves behind a wife, a young daughter and a baby on the way.

The Giglios attended Christ Community Church in the Sumter area.  Prior to the announcement of the transition to a recovery effort, Toby Toburen, the church’s pastor, said:

I know Nick to be a man of God who has a deep love for Jesus Christ, his wife and his precious daughter. Because of the mighty Savior we worship and serve, the Giglios’ church family at Christ Community Church remains hopeful that Nick will be found and quickly reunited with his family. We are praying diligently for Nick, Leigh and their extended family while, at the same time, trusting in faith that God is sovereign in all things and will bring glory to his name through this situation.