4th Class Cadet Timothy Barber died Saturday when the private aircraft piloted by his father, retired Air Force pilot Greg Barber, collided with another airplane in midair near McKinney, Texas. Barber’s father and the pilot of the other aircraft died as well, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported. “This is a tragedy for the Barbers and for those of us in their Air Force family. Our thoughts are with them as well as with their friends and loved ones,” said Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, in an Academy release. “This is profoundly sad news for all of us at the Air Force Academy. We stand ready to support Cadet Barber’s family and also have resources at the ready to help cadets and staff to weather our loss.” While the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the accident, both aircraft were flying from a small airfield without traffic controllers.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.