Tag Archives: fresno air national guard

National Guard F-16 Crashes in California

Multiple news outlets reported a California Air National F-16 crashed in the California desert on Friday.

No details were given, except that it was a medium altitude emergency and the pilot safely ejected.

The F-16 military jet went down in Owens Valley in Inyo County. The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft.

Pilots at the 144th Fighter Wing are on what’s called a “safety stand down” day, meaning all flights are grounded as part of standard procedure following a crash.

As is standard procedure, the Air Force will investigate the mishap and report it some months from now.

Milking the Good Deal: Fighter Pilots Investigated for Improper Pay

The Air Force Times reports that pilots at Fresno’s California Air National Guard are under criminal investigation for

padding their salaries by getting paid for more than one shift on the same day.

(The Fresno Guard flies the F-16.) Guard and Reserve pilots are often paid based on how much they work (as opposed to active duty pilots, who are paid the same regardless).  According to the reports, the pilots may have been paid for “alert” time spent at home, and for more hours than they are allowed.

If the rules and claims are clear, it should be fairly simple investigation.  It is also possible there are enough ambiguities in the rules Read more