(Photos courtesy: 144th Fighter Wing)
(KMJ) – The CA Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing confirms one of its own lost his life in Monday’s plane crash in Porterville.
The Fresno-based air wing posted this message Tuesday on its Facebook page:
The 144th Fighter Wing family is deeply saddened at the sudden loss of one of our own. On June 7th, Lt. Col. Billy “Taz” Sullivan suffered a fatal accident while flying his personal aircraft.
Billy was a force multiplier for all who knew him and was truly larger than life. His death will impact many people because he had a mission to help and connect with everyone he knew.
Taz was a 2006 graduate of the USAF Academy, had over 1,500 hours in the F-15 Eagle, served as both an instructor pilot and evaluator, and was recently appointed as the Director of Operations for the 194th Fighter Squadron. He was at the pinnacle of his Air Force and aviation career and truly the future of the 144th Fighter Wing.
Our condolences and sympathies go out to his wife, Diane (pictured below), and his family and friends.
The NTSB continues to investigate the cause of this crash.
