Children of fallen pilot return to Edwards

  • Published
  • By Giancarlo Casem
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Jessica and Jake George, the children of Maj. Aaron George, who died during a test mission along with aerial photographer Judson Brohmer on July 17, 2001, visited Edwards Air Force Base, California, April 19-22, 2026. The visit was organized by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Ronald Buckley and the 416th Flight Test Squadron. Buckley had been the assistant operations officer of the 416th during Maj. George's assignment at Edwards. During Maj. George's time with the 416th FLTS, he had also supported test missions for the development of the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System which was fielded to F-16s in 2014. The Georges' visit included stops at the Air Force Test Pilot School, the 416th FLTS, a familiarization flight on board an F-16 and a piano burn memorial service in honor of their father.

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Ronald Buckley shows a photograph of Maj. Aaron George to his children Jessica and Jake at the Air Force Test Pilot School on Edwards Air Force Base, California, April 20. Maj. George along with aerial photographer Judson Brohmer died during a test mission when their F-16 crashed on July 17, 2001. Their father was involved in the development of the F-16 Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System which was fielded to F-16 a few years after his death. (Air Force photo by Jennifer Healy)

 

Jessica George, daughter of Maj. Aaron George, who died during a test mission along with aerial photographer Judson Brohmer on July 17, 2001, undergoes parachute training at Edwards Air Force Base, California, April 20, 2026. The visit was organized by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Ronald Buckley and the 416th Flight Test Squadron. Jessica and her brother, Jake, were given the opportunity to each fly in the back seat of an F-16. Their father was involved in the development of the F-16 Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System which was fielded to F-16 a few years after his death. (Air Force video by Jennifer Healy)

 

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Ronald Buckley comforts Jessica George upon returning from her familiarization flight with the 416th Flight Test Squadron on Edwards Air Force Base, April 21. Her father, Maj. Aaron George passed away during a flight test mission at Edwards and had served with Buckley with the 416th during at the time of his passing. (Air Force photo by Brandon Hernandez)

 

Jessica and Jake George, the children of Maj. Aaron George, who died during a test mission along with aerial photographer Judson Brohmer on July 17, 2001, give each other a hug following their familiarization flight during a visit to Edwards Air Force Base, April 21, 2026. The visit was organized by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Ronald Buckley and the 416th Flight Test Squadron. Buckley had been the assistant operations officer of the 416th during Maj. George's assignment at Edwards. (Air Force photo by Brandon Hernandez)