Missing US Pilot in Italy

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mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 30, 2013 - 11:55am PT
http://www.modbee.com/2013/01/29/2553700/twain-harte-air-force-pilot-missing.html

Luc is a close friend of my climbing mentor who lives in KC.

He is a Twaine Hart local and is expecting his first child very soon.

Wishing the best here.

climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Jan 30, 2013 - 11:59am PT
Prayers that he is found alive and well with just a good story to tell.
Norwegian

Trad climber
Pollock Pines, California
Jan 30, 2013 - 12:27pm PT
ah hell,
hoping for a safe ejection
and rescue.

regards.
klk

Trad climber
cali
Jan 30, 2013 - 12:50pm PT
terrible news--

at least they know the general crash site
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
Jan 30, 2013 - 01:03pm PT
The pilot, Luc, has been my friend and climbing partner since 1999, his senior year in high school. We met when he asked me to mentor his high school senior exit project (the project was establishing a new rock climb). I am almost exactly 20 years older than him. Now we climb together whenever we can.

I could type paragraphs about what a fine young man he is. About how wonderful he is to climb and to hang out with. About how much my wife and daughters have always loved Luc and his wife Cassy (they were high school sweethearts).

I last saw him at he and his wife's baby shower near Christmas. He is so looking forward to being a dad. Their daughter is due in about one month.

If he doesn't come out of this, then the world is a totally, totally f#%ked place.

I don't pray. If any of you do, then please do it now. As hard as you can.
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 30, 2013 - 02:47pm PT
Hey Brad, I remembered your connection to Luc.

He is in many prayers, all across america right now.


mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
Jan 30, 2013 - 03:02pm PT
Josh,

Our whole town is on edge about this. Luc and his family are well loved here. From the teachers and the students at the high school to our local news people, to anyone talking in town, everyone is hoping beyond hope that this turns out well My wife is checking Facebook a few times an hour. I'm clicking "renew" on the Aviano airbase home page every 15 minutes just hoping for good news. My older daughter has asked a me a few times now what I think. It's hard to even talk to her about it.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
Jan 30, 2013 - 03:32pm PT
Positive thoughts being sent on so many fronts.


I truly hope he's just chillin in a life boat waiting for the pick up.


Amazing guy with a good eye for photos too.

mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
Jan 30, 2013 - 05:00pm PT
From a posting on Facebook:

" we have good evidence now that Lucas was able to eject from his jet. He has really good survival gear on including a special suit and raft. He has food, water, even fishing hooks! Now we need to find him! There are hundreds of people looking for him, the Italians and US Air Force and Navy have been awesome!!!!"

The weather in the Adriatic Sea has been awful, including dense fog. There is hope.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
Jan 30, 2013 - 05:29pm PT
Thx Brad
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jan 30, 2013 - 05:40pm PT
Here's hoping his ejection was within limits and went as well as possible.

He's had good training about how to deal with that chute, seat kit, raft, signals and so on.

There's some damn good PJ's on the case too, along with the host.

Fingers crossed. Drive on Air Force.


Hmmmm, didn't even realize he's been missing since Monday. Cold out there.
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
Jan 30, 2013 - 06:47pm PT
Here's a link to an article on the Aviano airbase web site that tells a lot about Luc and his family, and about the status of the rescue efforts:

http://www.aviano.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334491

graniteclimber

Trad climber
The Illuminati -- S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Division
Jan 30, 2013 - 06:49pm PT
From mtnyoung's link:

"Luc is a self-reliant outdoorsmen who would sleep every night under the stars if he could," Cassy added. "He's a sky diver, he's a rock climber and he's a certified scuba diver. He is also a health nut and in great shape."
Jan

Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
Jan 30, 2013 - 09:00pm PT
Still hoping for good news. At least no one was shooting at him.
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Jan 30, 2013 - 09:02pm PT
From a posting on Facebook:

" we have good evidence now that Lucas was able to eject from his jet. He has really good survival gear on including a special suit and raft. He has food, water, even fishing hooks! Now we need to find him! There are hundreds of people looking for him, the Italians and US Air Force and Navy have been awesome!!!!"

The weather in the Adriatic Sea has been awful, including dense fog. There is hope.

Now that is excellent news..

I feel like he has a damn fine chance
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
Jan 31, 2013 - 10:22am PT
It appears that the Italian Coast Guard has found his body.
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Sebastopol
Jan 31, 2013 - 10:31am PT
Big hug to you and your family Brad.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jan 31, 2013 - 10:40am PT
My sincere condolences.....he was serving his country and from all that i have read it appears that he was an exceptional human being.
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Jan 31, 2013 - 10:56am PT
Heartbreak


Susan
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
Jan 31, 2013 - 10:58am PT
He truly was exceptional. Luc made me realize that the generation after mine was a better set of people in many ways. More aware of the world, more understanding of others, and kinder to other human beings. Smarter and stronger too.

This photo of Luc was taken at the top of Lone Pine Peak (obviously, I'm the one with a shirt on):



He was so strong, so careful and so utterly competent. I can't even start to imagine what went wrong.

Messages 1 - 20 of total 61 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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