Capt. Francis D. Imlay, 31, of Vacaville, Calif., died Wednesday when his F-15E crashed approximately 15 miles outside of a base in Southwest Asia, announced the Pentagon. Imlay’s fellow crew member was injured in the mishap, stated Air Forces Central officials in a release. Emergency response personnel brought the injured crew member to a military medical facility for treatment of minor injuries, they said. Imlay was assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. “This is obviously a very sad day for the Gunfighters, as we mourn the loss of one of our warriors,” said Col. Ron Buckley, commander of Mountain Home’s 366th Fighter Wing, the squadron’s parent unit, in a release. Buckley added, “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time.” The cause of the incident is under investigation. More details will be released as they become available, said the AFCENT officials. (See our initial coverage from Thursday.)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. had hardly left the Indo-Pacific theater before China flew a joint bomber and fighter mission with U.S. partner Thailand. In nearby Indonesia, the U.S. concluded exercise Garuda Shield alongside Australia, Japan, and Singapore. At each stop, Brown held an all-call…