Rescue crews recovered the body of a missing F-16 pilot in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a base release. Matthew J. LaCourse, 58, was an Air Force civilian pilot assigned to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Fla. LaCourse, a 1978 Air Force Academy graduate, retired as a lieutenant colonel after more than 22 years of service. The base lost contact with his F-16 around 9 a.m. on Nov. 6 and search and rescue crews immediately were dispatched to the aircraft’s last known location. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of our fallen teammate as they struggle through this extremely difficult time,” states the release. The cause of the crash is not yet known, but an investigation is underway.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited the site of U.S. Space Command’s future home Dec. 12 and endorsed the move to establish the headquarters in Alabama after years of political back and forth.
