Maj. Douglas Rothenhofer, an F-16 instructor pilot with the 39th Flying Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga., died Dec. 1 from injuries sustained after he fell from an obstacle during physical fitness drills. The Ft. Wayne (Ind.) News Sentinel reports that Air Force medics rushed Rothenhofer, 33, to the South Georgia Medical Center, where he died. USAF has convened a safety board to investigate the accident.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.