Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

An F-16 Fighting Falcon launches to complete its mission after a temporary suspension was lifted at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 26, 2012. The 35th Fighter Wing has been heavily engaged in revalidating and certifying the safety of its aircraft following the loss of an aircraft July 22, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla/Released)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Wyatt, right, 35th Maintenance Squadron sheet metal technician, and Senior Airman Zachary Hurt, 14th Fighter Squadron aircraft maintainer, inspect the inside of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 26, 2012. The safety of pilots and the capability of keeping jets ready to fly are major priorities for all maintainers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee/Released)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Shawl, front, 35th Maintenance Squadron sheet metal technician, signs brake-line repair forms as Senior Airman Zachary Hurt, 14th Fighter Squadron aircraft maintainer, inspects landing gear at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 26, 2012. Inspections are done daily on the Fighting Falcons to keep pilots safe and ensure the aircraft are ready to fly at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

Airmen perform safety checks on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 26, 2012. The purpose of safety checks is to ensure that both the pilot and the jet reach their destination without problems. Safety is a top priority for all maintainers, which is another reason these checks are performed daily. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee/Released)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

Misawa’s F-16 Fighting Falcons line up to launch after a temporary suspension was lifted at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 26, 2012. The revalidation and certification of all aircraft was done by the 35th Fighter Wing following the loss of an aircraft July 22, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee/Released)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

The 35th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcons of Misawa Air Base, Japan, taxi down the runway July 26, 2012, for the first time since temporarily suspending operations after the loss of an F-16, July 22, 2012. The certification and revalidation of all aircraft was performed by the 35th Fighter Wing to ensure aircraft were ready to resume flight operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee/Released)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Simone Hodge, 14th Fighter Squadron weapons maintenance, seals an aircraft panel after completing a hydraulic bleed and leak check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon’s gun system at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 25, 2012. The hydraulic bleed and leak makes sure the aircraft is not losing valuable hydraulic fluid. After an F-16 pilot ejected in the Pacific Ocean on July 22, 35th Fighter Wing aircraft were grounded and ceased flying operations locally and off-station. During that time, all aircraft received additional inspections along with their normal stringent checks. The wing continually validates the safety of its aircraft and has resumed flying to meet mission requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 14th Fighter Squadron test a newly-installed engine in an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 25, 2012. The 35th Fighter Wing grounded its aircraft after an F-16 pilot ejected in the Pacific Ocean, July 22. After additional inspections, coupled with stringent routine checks, the wing resumed flying to meet mission requirements, July 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Mark Ward, 14th Fighter Squadron crew chief, uses technical orders as he inspects an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 25, 2012. Technical orders contain the methods and procedures for U.S. Air Force equipment modifications and inspections. The 35th Fighter Wing has resumed its flying mission after grounding aircrafts for additional inspections coupled with stringent routine checks when a pilot ejected from his F-16 in the Pacific Ocean on July 22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 35th Maintenance Group inspect an F-16 Fighting Falcon after installing a new engine at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 25, 2012. Stringent checks were made on all 35th Fighter Wing aircraft to ensure their safety after a pilot ejected from his F-16 in the Pacific Ocean on July 22. The 35 FW subsequently grounded its aircraft for additional inspections coupled with stringent routine checks before resuming its flying mission July 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)

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Wild Weasels continue mission after validating aircraft safety

Published July 26, 2012
By 2nd Lt. Son Lee
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Flights resumed July 26, 2012 at Misawa Air Base, Japan in order to complete a deployment that was temporarily interrupted by the loss of an F-16 Fighting Falcon on July 22, 2012.

A pilot from the 35th Fighter Wing safely ejected into the North Pacific Ocean while en route to North America. Following the incident, the remaining aircraft that accompanied the F-16 returned to Misawa in the interest of safety.

"Safety is our primary concern," said Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander. "All F-16s have gone through a thorough safety inspection after the mishap occurred and we are completing the mission we started."

Immediately after the incident occurred, the wing ceased flight operations and all aircraft went through an extensive safety inspection process. Along with thoroughly inspecting the aircraft themselves, the process included interviewing all maintainers and pilots who work with the aircraft, testing all the equipment used on the aircraft, examining the aircraft's maintenance history and other various safety checks.

These were just a few of the actions taken in support of the safety investigation that is currently underway at Misawa.

"We must keep in mind ultimately why we perform all of these safety inspections," Wimmer said. "Once we determine all our aircraft are operationally safe, we must continue our mission, which in this case is completing the deployment."