Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. and his wife Ann, both 62, were among nine persons killed in June 22’s deadly DC Metrorail crash, the DC National Guard announced Tuesday. Wherley had served as commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard from July 2003 until his retirement a year ago. Previously, as commander of the DC Air National Guard’s 113th Fighter Wing (now 113th Wing) located at Andrews AFB, Md., he had ordered the first fighters to defend Washington the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. On 9/11, the Secret Service called “asking for support,” he recounted later. A pair of DC ANG F-16s, returning from a training mission and armed only with practice rounds, were first to arrive at the just-attacked Pentagon. In 1998, just before taking over the wing, Wherley had deployed for four months to Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, to serve as deputy commander of operations (fighters) at the provisional wing there. “We are all deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic loss of General Wherley and his wife Ann,” said Army Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, who succeeded Wherley as DC Guard commander. The rush-hour Metro crash involving two trains was the deadliest in the system’s history. (Also read Washington Post report (may require free registration), CNN report, and Fox News report)
An Air Force C-17 transport jet recently tested a new technology that could help aviators stay on course even if the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) that much of modern-day aviation relies on is compromised.