ANCHORAGE, ALASKA –
Yesterday, a Boeing B52-H Stratofortress bomber went down forty miles south of Chuathbaluk, Alaska, in what was called by President Buttes a war game gone wrong.
It brings me great sadness to say this, but unfortunately, during a routine war game, one of our finest bombers – the SS Eagle Freedom, was downed. Reports currently say that it was a bird strike, combined with pilot error. Recovery efforts are underway. But, for obvious national security reasons, I cannot allow any further comment at this time. My heart goes out to the families of Major Jeff Hughes, Captain Jacob Northrop, and 2nd Lieutenant John Fitzgerald.
Maj Hughes, Capt Northrop, and 2d Lt Fitzgerald were all assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron of the 5th Bomb Wing of the US Air Force out of Minot AFB in North Dakota. It is irregular, but not unheard of, for aircraft from Minot to participate in joint training operations with Elmendorf.
It is the policy of the Monitor to only contact the families of fallen members of the Military once they have been given sufficient time and space to grieve and make necessary arrangements. The Monitor thanks these airmen for their service, and extends that gratitude to their families as well.