Nellis Afb Nv

Air Force officials identify Nellis pilot

He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2003 and earned a master’s degree in 2010. Captain Ziegler was an experienced pilot with over 1,200 flight hours, primarily in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, with operational assignments at Kunsan Air Base, Korea; Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; and Nellis AFB, Nev. During those assignments, he flew more than 300 combat hours on three deployments. His decorations include the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and an Aerial Achievement Medal. Captain Ziegler also had recently been selected to attend the elite U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

“Words can’t express how much we’ll miss Eric,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Suttlemyre, 422 TES commander. “He was a special friend, a phenomenal husband and father, and a terrific aviator and officer. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.”

The family of Captain Ziegler has requested privacy, but said the following in a prepared family statement:

“Eric was a man of character and faith who deeply loved his family as well as flying. His sense of humor, spontaneity, faith, zest for life, love of family and country are the hallmarks of his personality. He was a true son of the United States.”

An investigation into the accident began almost immediately.

“For the next several weeks, a trained investigation board will focus its exclusive efforts on collecting and protecting evidence from the scene and gathering and analyzing all relevant data with the specific purpose of determining the cause so we may prevent future mishaps,” General O’Shaughnessy said. “The safety of the local community and our Airmen is my top priority.

Planes, Airshows, & Anything Else: NELLIS AFB F-16C CRASH UPDATE

"Based on evidence recovered from the crash site, and after extensive aerial and ground search efforts, we know that the pilot did not eject from the aircraft prior to impact," said Brig. Gen. T.J. O'Shaughnessy, 57th Wing commander. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot's immediate family, Air Force family, and friends during this difficult time." "We have started an investigation into this mishap; but we are in the very early stages of this investigation," General O'Shaughnessy continued. "For the next several weeks, a trained investigation board will focus their exclusive efforts on collecting and protecting evidence from the scene and gathering and analyzing all relevant data with the specific purpose of determining the cause so we may prevent future mishaps. Nellis Air Force Base is the busiest flying base in Air Combat Command, producing 42,000 sorties each year. As commander of this wing, the safety of the local community and our Airmen is my top priority.

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