“He was one of the best people I’ve ever met in my life.” Some of Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada Martín’s closest companions are still in shock from the news of his death this Friday.
This command, stationed within the 12th wing of the Air and Space Force, was married, father of 4 children and more than 2,000 hours of flight under his belt. He recently returned from Lithuania, where he commanded the Vilkas Aerotactical Detachment, at the Siauliai air base, 180 kilometers from Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.
It was one of his last services, the command of this detachment of 150 men and women assigned to the deterrence mission of the NATO Baltic Air Police (BAP).
The tragedy shocked many members of the armed forces. Twice, as a commander and later as a lieutenant colonel, he worked in the The JEMA firm (Chief of Air Staff). But always with his eyes turned towards his companions in the 12th wing, in Torrejón de Ardoz, in which he has always been integrated.
In March, Lieutenant Colonel Estrada was supported by Margarita Robles in his march to Lithuania. A few months later, as indicated in the publications of the Ministry of Defense, King Felipe VI visited this detachment. Estrada was responsible for communicating details of the Baltic patrol mission to him.
The facts
The events occurred this Friday around 1 p.m. The 12th Wing was carrying out routine maneuvers when one of the hunting An F-18 crashed municipality of Peralejosin Teruel.
The plane fell in a location in Los Hornillos located near the municipality. The Air and Space Force confirmed that it was the lieutenant colonel and expressed its condolences. “We join in the pain of his family and friends. Rest in peace, partner.”
He The Air and Space Force informed EL ESPAÑOL that it was a joint training mission. From the Ministry of Defense, it is ruled out that it was a test flight due to the event of October 12.
With this accident, there would be five those that have been registered of this type of aircraft in Aragon. In 2000, two F-18s based there crashed in mid-flight in the same city.
On September 24, Estrada Martín turned 49 years old. He was born in 1975 and belonged to the 51st Air Class. He died after a life devoted to the Air Force, the Armed Forces and his specialty: piloting a combat aircraft.
