The Air Force pilot of the F-18 that crashed this Friday in a town in Teruel is Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada, commander of the 12th Wing of Torrejón. An officer with extensive military experience who just a few months ago led the Tactical Air Detachment (TAD) mission Vilkas in Lithuania, the mission of Spanish F-18 fighters to protect the Baltic skies from Russian aviation. He has accumulated over a thousand hours of flight experience
Last March, Lt. Col. Estrada was fired by Defense Minister Margarita Robles as his detachment departed for a mission to Lithuania. Estrada emphasized “the importance of the mission, to which we leave happy and proud to know that we are going to do it well.”
A few months later, King Felipe VI visited the detachment in Lithuania, on an official trip in which no minister accompanied him, and received news directly from Lieutenant Colonel Estrada.
Today, the Air Force confirmed his identity as the pilot who was at the controls of the F-18 that crashed in Peralejos (Teruel).
“We regret to inform you that the death of our colleague, Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada Martín, assigned to the 12th Wing, has been confirmed in the F-18 accident. We join in the pain of his family and friends. Rest in peace, partner,” the Air Force said.
🔴 LATEST NEWS | We regret to inform you that the death of our colleague, Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada Martín, assigned to the 12th Wing, has been confirmed in the F-18 accident.
We join in the pain of his family and friends. Rest in peace, partner. pic.twitter.com/OUim93TANr
– Air and Space Force (@EjercitoAire) October 4, 2024
Accident
A F-18 fighter suffered an accident this Friday at Peralejos19 kilometers from the town of Teruelas reported by the Air and Space Force, without providing further details on what happened. Local media reported that the pilot died after failing to eject from the plane. According to military sources, the plane was carrying out a training exercise.
He Air and Space Force announced through the social network Teruel“. “Emergency means have been activated and we are looking for the driverthey indicated. The official account said they would provide more information “as soon as possible.”
He 12th Wing It is a military unit equipped with fighter aircraft of the Air Force Air Combat Command. Its facilities are located at the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base (Madrid).
The accident of the ship, which in principle He did not carry any weapons and was flying at low altitude towards 2,000 feetcaused a wildfire in the area that emergency crews are already trying to put out, according to reports The herald.
