Reader comments
Crash kills Hill pilot

Hopefully they'll find the pilot.

The Pilot is in our prayers along with his family.

Cool your jets boy--
My concern right now is with the pilot and his family, including the family of ground crew and fellow pilots as well as staff.
Anytime a plane goes down it effects everyone in the community. We view them as our brothers and sisters up there and quite frankly, most of us around Hill are Vets and know what it is to lose a brother or sister.
So Luke, save your anger for another day please.

Wow, I didn't know it was used by all branches of the military and NASA. Is it considered supersonic air space because of the sparse population, or does it have to do with the terrain?

It's called "supersonic air space" because pilots can practice combat maneuvers at supersonic speeds (including low-altitude) without cracking windows, etc. and without endangering other aircraft. The air space is restricted from other air traffic. The ground beneath is also restricted (though why anyone would want to venture onto a live bombing range is beyond me!).

They ought to nuke the west range, it downs more F-16's than the Taliban and Al Quita combined.

I hope the pilot(s) ejected safely...hang in there, Hill.

"Nuke it | 2:11 p.m. June 23, 2009
They ought to nuke the west range, it downs more F-16's than the Taliban and Al Quita combined."

Let me think about that for a minute.

Ah....no.

Come on, don't hide. You voted for Obama, didn't you?

the comment was a back handed way of bringing to reminding all that the F-16 has more than its share of crashes, and perhaps money ought to be set aside to get to the root cause and make it safer.

Don't take this personally UTTR, this obviously wasn't aimed at you.

Correct home town is Candler, NC. He will be missed

unfortunately accidents are a part of training, but I hardly agree with nuking the training grounds. the reason we don't lose pilots in afghanistan is because of the rigorous training they go through here. I'd hate to see them perform these maneuvers outside a simulator for the first time in combat, add the stress of being shot at, and a lot more accidents would happen.

Our family is praying for the pilot's family. May God comfort you. We appreciate the service and price your son's have paid for our country. They are hero's and we are so proud of them.

Air force pilots are among our best, brightest, and bravest. Thanks to all of them for their service.

Ref: Nuke It
Really sad to lose our fighting men anytime. Prayers are with his family. One of the main reasons if not the key reason for not losing pilots over in Afganistan and Iraq is because of the Desert Ranges that we have in Utah, Nevada and California. You couldn't ask for better training areas for Aerial combat operations.

And as far as Nukes go in that area. They used to fire the 175 MM ones from Dugway Proving Grounds in the 60's.... they were the Artillery ones. 175 MM Howitzer rounds fired into the desert bombing and testing range...but nukes none the less. One of the many reasons why the Desert Ranges are off Limits. You never knew ahead of time when they were happening but I used to do a lot of irrigation at night sometimes in the early morning hours....and the whole western sky out beyond the mountain ranges past what is now Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs and over Utah Lake would light up for 30 to 40 seconds before it would fade back into darkness...really Spectacular to have seen.

My son is a tanker pilot and will be leaving for deployment next month. My heart is just broken tonight. My prayers are with his family and his squadron. He has paid the ultimate price for our freedom. He was among our finest that have given their life for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today.

My son is career AF and right now is in the Middle East. I pray for his safety everyday and night. No parent should have to bury his child prematurely. God be with you, Houghton family.

Extremely sad to hear about a boy losing his life in the line of duty. Best wishes and condolences to the family and his brothers in arms.

My son is AF and headed to Middle East this month. I am deeply sorry for your loss, Houghton Family. Our prayers and the prayers of this nation are with you. God Bless.

While I give my condolences to the family of this young man, I can't help but wonder why these planes keep crashing. It's happening more and more. Is it more planes in the air or less maintenance since the military is always strapped for cash. If this were commercial airliners there would be more of an outcry about all these crashes. These are multi-million dollar, highly sophisticated planes with highly trained and sophisticated American pilots! Where the Congressional inquiry Obama?

While our hearts and prayers go out to the Houghton Familys. May God protect his other two brothers and bring them home safely from this war. Let us hope and pray that something good will come from George Bryans untimely death.