115th Fighter Wing releases name of pilot who died in crash

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The 115th Fighter Wing has released the name of the Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot who died in Tuesday’s crash during a training session in the Upper Peninsula.

In a Facebook post, the pilot was identified as Capt. Durwood “Hawk” Jones, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 37-year-old joined the Air National Guard in 2011 and graduated from F-16 basic qualifying training five years ago.

The Air National Guard noted Jones was a decorated combat veteran, having deployed to Japan and Korea in 2015 and 2017, respectively. He also was deployed to Afghanistan in 2019 as part of Operation Freedom Sentinel.

“Our sadness over this loss may dissipate, but the scar will never heal,” Cmdr. Bart Van Roo said during a news conference. “Yesterday, I did what every commander prays they never have to do, I went with our base chaplain to inform the spouse and immediate family of the loss of their loved one.”

Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags across Wisconsin to fly at half-staff from sunrise on Saturday, December 12, through sunset on Friday, December 18, to honor Jones.

Jones’ F-16 went down around 8 p.m. during a training mission in a remote area of the Hiawatha National Forest, in the northeastern corner of Delta County, near Steuben in Schoolcraft County. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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