Air Force Identifies Nellis Pilot Killed in F-15 Crash

Lt. Col. Thomas Bouley, pictured here, died in a aircraft crash during Red Flag 08-03 on July 30, 2008. Colonel Bouley was the 65th Aggressor Squadron commander.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Scottie McCord.)

News in Balance:

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev., Aug. 1, 2008 -- The pilot who died in an aircraft accident July 30 was Lt. Col. Thomas Bouley. The name was released in a July 31 press conference by Col. Russell Handy, 57th Wing commander. Colonel Bouley was the 65th Aggressor Squadron commander.

Colonel Bouley was killed when the two-seater F-15D Eagle he was piloting crashed on the Nevada Test and Training Range during a Red Flag training exercise July 30.

"Colonel Bouley had recently celebrated his 20th year wearing the uniform, and had more than 4,200 flight hours in the F-15 Eagle, the Royal Air Force F-3 Tornado and the T-38 Talon," said Colonel Handy during the press conference. "He was a decorated warrior, an inspiring leader of Airmen and a loving father and husband. He served his country with distinction and will be greatly missed."

The other pilot in the aircraft, an RAF exchange pilot, is in stable condition. His name is being withheld due to the ongoing investigation, but will be released when the accident investigation board completes its work. He was assigned to the 64th AGRS.

Both Airmen were aggressor pilots. The mission of both the 64th AGRS and the 65th AGRS is to simulate opposing enemy air forces during Red Flag exercises here.

"The investigation into this mishap began almost immediately," said Colonel Handy. "The Air Combat Command accident investigation board will collect and protect evidence from the scene, and gather and analyze all relevant data."

The accident investigation board comprises a board president who is a senior pilot, a maintenance expert, flight surgeon, judge advocate and any other needed specialists.

"As commander of this wing, the safety of our Airmen is at the top of my priority list," said Colonel Handy. "Protecting our nation's sons and daughters is a sacred trust, and we intend to do everything in our power to find the cause of this mishap so we may prevent it from happening again."

All aircraft units, with exception of the 64th and 65th Aggressor Squadrons, have continued flying operations. The 64th AGRS will resume flying missions Aug. 1, and the 65th AGRS will resume operations Aug. 4.

"Right now, we're focused on supporting Colonel Bouley's family and the men and women of the 65th AGRS," said Colonel Handy.

Red Flag, a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies, is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges at Nellis AFB, Nev. It is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and Nellis, through the 414th Combat Training Squadron. Nellis is the busiest flying base in Air Combat Command, flying 42,000 sorties each year.

(Story by by Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney, 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs.)

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