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Aviano F-16 pilot KIA


MKopack

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In response to the tragic loss of our fellow River Rat and Active Duty USAF F-16 pilot, Major Lucas "Gaza" Gruenther, the River Rats in conjunction with our charitable arm, the Air Warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF) has established a college 529 to accept tax deductible contributions for his daughter's college education.

It is very important to follow the directions below, particularly the "In Memory..." verbiage.

All contributions are tax deductible.

There are two ways to give.

1. Send a check to the AWCF, P.O. Box 877, Silver Spring, MD 20918. In a

note or on the check say "In Memory of Major Lucas "Gaza" Gruenther."

2. Using a credit card. Go to our home page at www.airwarriorcourage.org .

On the Home page is a DONATE button. Click it and it will take you to a page

with a GIVE DIRECT button. Click it and fill in the blanks. In the COMMENTS

block put in "In Memory of Major Lucas "Gaza" Gruenther".

Please help us get the word out so that we can all support the Gruenther family, part of our River Rat family now and forever, and please give.

Cheers,

Cap-10

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In response to the tragic loss of our fellow River Rat and Active Duty USAF F-16 pilot, Major Lucas "Gaza" Gruenther, the River Rats in conjunction with our charitable arm, the Air Warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF) has established a college 529 to accept tax deductible contributions for his daughter's college education.

......

Please help us get the word out so that we can all support the Gruenther family, part of our River Rat family now and forever, and please give.

Cheers,

Cap-10

Are the funds from this going to be combined with the already established PayPal buttons from Flare's post?

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Are the funds from this going to be combined with the already established PayPal buttons from Flare's post?

Not sure right now, but I bet that could be discussed in the future after everything settles down a little.

I can assure everyone that the River Rats have Cassy's full approval to run the 529 account for Serene.

Thanks to all for helping to re-post the donation info and for all those that donated!

Cheers,

Cap-10

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af.mil article: http://www.af.mil/ne...sp?id=123335370

To answer the previous question:

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley approved the posthumous promotion of Gruenther to major, which the pilot was already waiting to officially pin on this year after he was selected for major during a December 2011 promotion board.

During the ceremony, his wife was presented two medals on the major's behalf. The Aerial Achievement Medal was awarded for efforts during Gruenther's deployment to Afghanistan, where he performed 17 Operation Enduring Freedom combat missions, providing U.S. and coalition ground forces with close air support. The Meritorious Service Medal was presented for distinguished service as 31st Fighter Wing chief of flight safety and as 555th Fighter Squadron assistant chief of training.

"As per usual, life is good," - Maj. Lucas "Gaza" Gruenther.

Edited by Archa3opt3ryx
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  • 2 months later...

I just read the AFSAS final message... The SIB did a great job, and it was a tough read. Go talk to your local SE shop to take a look...will take a good hour to read through it all.

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  • 6 months later...

How much testing has been done to see if all of the extra gear installed on modern flight helmets reduces the margin for spinal injuries in an ejection? Having the extra weight of JHMCS and NVG's can't be good for your neck when riding the rocket.

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How much testing has been done to see if all of the extra gear installed on modern flight helmets reduces the margin for spinal injuries in an ejection? Having the extra weight of JHMCS and NVG's can't be good for your neck when riding the rocket.

Specifically briefed to knock off the NVG's before ejecting. As Jaded said, ejecting fast with the JHMCS...probably gonna have some neck problems. Here's hoping the Scorpion will have better results.

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  • 5 weeks later...

The service must investigate whether helmet equipment, such as a night vision or a helmet-mounted cueing system, can cause an increased risk of death or serious injury.

Done...it's already in the -1. Ejecting above 450kts with the HMCS could mean bad things for your neck/life. Hell, not routing the Upper HVI properly could cause severe neck injury. Also, briefed to knock off the NVGs before you punch.

Edited by SocialD
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