Fresno Fighter Pilot Dies in Ukrainian Crash
Share
A Ukrainian fighter jet crashed during a joint exercise with U.S. and other NATO air forces Tuesday, killing both pilots, Ukraine’s military said.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said the two-seat Su-27UB went down in the Kmelnitskyi region. It said a rescue team found the jet’s two pilots dead.
“We share in the sorrow felt by Jethro’s loved ones and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as well as those of the Ukrainian aviator.” — U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Kelly, commander of the Fresno-based 144th Fighter Wing
The U.S. Air Force confirms that one of the fallen fighter pilots was based in Fresno, Lt. Col. Seth “Jethro” Nehring, with the California Air National Guard’s 194th Fighter Squadron, part of the 144th Fighter Wing.The other pilot was Col. Ivan Petrenko, a Ukrainian service member.
“We are a close-knit family and when a tragedy like this occurs, every member of the 144th Fighter Wing feels it,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Kelly, commander of the 144th FW in a news release.
“We share in the sorrow felt by Jethro’s loved ones and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as well as those of the Ukrainian aviator.”
Nehring served in the 144th for more than 20 years. In his career, he served as an enlisted crew chief, and pilot of the F-16 Viper and F-15 Eagle.
Personnel from nine nations are taking part in the Clear Sky 2018 exercises that started in Ukraine on Oct. 8. They include members of a California Air National Guard unit based in Fresno.
(Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Trump Goes Golfing While Stock Market Chunks
Politics /
3 hours ago
Trump Says He’s Giving TikTok Another 75 Days to Find a US Buyer
Tech /
3 hours ago
Tulare County Man Arrested After Firing at Deputies During Eviction Attempt
Crime /
4 hours ago
Trump Just Bet the Farm
Opinion /
5 hours ago
Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?
Crime /
5 hours ago
Latest
Videos

Local /
38 minutes ago
Fresno Burial Ceremony to Honor Five Abandoned Babies Set for Saturday

Crime /
59 minutes ago
Visalia Man Arrested for Soliciting Sex From Minor in Kingsburg

Politics /
3 hours ago
Trump Goes Golfing While Stock Market Chunks

Tech /
3 hours ago
Trump Says He’s Giving TikTok Another 75 Days to Find a US Buyer

Crime /
4 hours ago