Great strip, I pray we don’t need to see too much work of this nature in the future though. To all my Brothers and Sisters in arms, stay vigilant and stay safe. May CPT Haney’s family find comfort in the support of his squadron mates and their families.
As a newer member of the Air Force family, it seems to me like we are losing people more often recently in tragic accidents like this. Do any wiser members feel the same way, or is it just an illusion to me because suddenly I care more? I hate to sound like I was an unfeeling bastard before, but maybe it’s just more personal now, like in a “that coulda been MY wingman” kinda way.
No, short of combat operations it is actually safer in my view. I think a lot more planes went down in the 80s and early 90s than I’ve seen in training operations since.
In FY 09 there were 30 Class A mishaps (a fatality, permanent disabling injury, destruction of an AF aircraft, or over $1M in damage), with 6 fatalities (that includes mishaps that occurred in the AOR during combat operations). In 1980 there were 84 Class A mishaps with 94 fatalities, and in 1950 there were 1,744 Class A mishaps (yes, over a thousand) with 781 fatalities. So while there may be the appearance of an increase in serious mishaps year to year depending on how many high profile incidents occur, the reality is that AF aviation has gotten considerably safer over the past several decades and that trends continue downward.
That said, it never gets any easier, especially when you suffer two fatal mishaps in less than four months like we have up here. Seems like we were just having the memorial ceremony for Sitka 43…
While you had so much a head of you, you went down serving your country. We are all grateful for your service and sacrifice. You will not be forgotten.
Thank you Captain Haney. Rest in peace. My prayers go out to you, your family, and your friends. This is a beautiful picture and it so well captures all of our feelings here. And I really liked that poem, RobertM. Thanks.
First off Rest in Peace Capt. Haney to his family my prayers are with you, To CSAR crews and the team of soliders, airmen, Alaskan state employees that helped in the search operations Thanks for Your Hard work BRAVO ZULU to you all
R.I.P. Capt. Haney… Seems like we are losing planes up here in Elmendorf too much. Think about this… we lose an E-3 not too long ago, then a Cargo plane a couple months back, and now a F-22. Just having bad luck I suppose. *Salute*
My thoughts go out to his family, friends, and all fellow servicemen.
Strip says it all Farva.. nice tribute.
R.I.P. Capt.
/Salute
such a poignant image, it brought tears to my eyes
My thoughts and prayers go out for his family and friends
RIP Capt Haney. Condolences to your family.
R.I.P. Capt. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and those involved during this holiday season.
nicely done Farva, I hope his family finds peace.
RIP Warrior
Great strip, I pray we don’t need to see too much work of this nature in the future though. To all my Brothers and Sisters in arms, stay vigilant and stay safe. May CPT Haney’s family find comfort in the support of his squadron mates and their families.
RIP, Capt Haney. Thank you for capturing our emotions, Farva. I pray that his family finds peace.
Credit goes to Black Optimus in the forums for this post. Fly West, Capt Haney.
Impressions of a Pilot
Flight is freedom in its purest form,
To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;
To roll and glide, to wheel and spin,
To feel the joy that swells within;
To leave the earth with its troubles and fly,
And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;
Then back to earth at the end of a day,
Released from the tensions which melted away.
Should my end come while I am in flight,
Whether brightest day or darkest night;
Spare me your pity and shrug off the pain,
Secure in the knowledge that I’d do it again;
For each of us is created to die,
And within me I know,
I was born to fly.
As a newer member of the Air Force family, it seems to me like we are losing people more often recently in tragic accidents like this. Do any wiser members feel the same way, or is it just an illusion to me because suddenly I care more? I hate to sound like I was an unfeeling bastard before, but maybe it’s just more personal now, like in a “that coulda been MY wingman” kinda way.
No, short of combat operations it is actually safer in my view. I think a lot more planes went down in the 80s and early 90s than I’ve seen in training operations since.
In FY 09 there were 30 Class A mishaps (a fatality, permanent disabling injury, destruction of an AF aircraft, or over $1M in damage), with 6 fatalities (that includes mishaps that occurred in the AOR during combat operations). In 1980 there were 84 Class A mishaps with 94 fatalities, and in 1950 there were 1,744 Class A mishaps (yes, over a thousand) with 781 fatalities. So while there may be the appearance of an increase in serious mishaps year to year depending on how many high profile incidents occur, the reality is that AF aviation has gotten considerably safer over the past several decades and that trends continue downward.
That said, it never gets any easier, especially when you suffer two fatal mishaps in less than four months like we have up here. Seems like we were just having the memorial ceremony for Sitka 43…
Great tribute. His friends and family are in my prayers.
Fly west
He died doing what he loved. I mourn not for the Captain, but for the friends and family who lost a loved one. May they find peace.
Godspeed Captain! My heart goes out to those sore souls and hearts there in Alaska.
RIP Capt Haney.
While you had so much a head of you, you went down serving your country. We are all grateful for your service and sacrifice. You will not be forgotten.
Thank you for everything Sir,
Ben Townsend
Vaya Con Dios Captain
Spot on, once again Farva.
It is never a good thing to lose a family member We pray the Lord watch over his wife and daughters, especially in their time of need.
Rest now sir, with the warriors that came before you. Our thoughts and prayers to your loved ones, may they stay strong.
I pray that the family finds peace as their world has been removed from under them…rest well my friend…rest well…
To the family of Captain Haney, we share your loss. Godspeed Captain.
Thaks to CSAR, recovery sucks more than rescue, but you know he’d do it for you.
Best strip you’ve ever drawn, Farva. Sad that it was necessary.
Rest in Peace, Sir. Our hearts and prayers go out to your family and friends. On the plus side, I heard the flying weather up there is fantastic.
Thank you Captain Haney. Rest in peace. My prayers go out to you, your family, and your friends. This is a beautiful picture and it so well captures all of our feelings here. And I really liked that poem, RobertM. Thanks.
Segments from “High Flight”
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth … Put out my hand, and touched the face of God
First off Rest in Peace Capt. Haney to his family my prayers are with you, To CSAR crews and the team of soliders, airmen, Alaskan state employees that helped in the search operations Thanks for Your Hard work BRAVO ZULU to you all
R.I.P. Capt. Haney… Seems like we are losing planes up here in Elmendorf too much. Think about this… we lose an E-3 not too long ago, then a Cargo plane a couple months back, and now a F-22. Just having bad luck I suppose. *Salute*