An F-16 pilot from Tyndall AFB was killed last Thursday morning when his jet crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.

The pilot was civilian Matthew LaCourse, a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and 1978 US Air Force Academy graduate. LaCourse was a part of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, which is the unit fielding the pilotless QF-16s as full-scale drones.  He had previously topped 2,000 hours in the F-4/QF-4, which preceded the QF-16.

As with all mishaps, the Air Force will investigate and report on the incident.

LaCourse’s death serves as a regrettable reminder of the danger of the pilot profession.

Also at the Stars and Stripes (and previous reports), FoxNews (previous), and the Air Force Times.

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