US Air Force Pilot From RivCo Killed In Aircraft 'Mishap' Near Japan

RIVERSIDE, CA — A U.S. Air Force pilot from Riverside County was among eight men killed when a CV-22A Osprey crashed last week while on a training mission off the southern coast of Japan, the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed Tuesday.

Air Force Maj. Luke A. Unrath, 34, of Riverside was on the doomed flight. He was a CV-22 pilot and flight commander assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan.

On Nov. 28, the aircraft was involved in "an aviation mishap" off the shore of Yakushima Island, Japan, the DOD reported.

During a news briefing Tuesday, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said all families of the eight airmen aboard the aircraft were notified.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and colleagues of these eight American airmen who are impacted by this tragic mishap and the immeasurable loss of life," Ryder said. "We want to thank the government of Japan for all of their assistance."

The remains of three of the eight have been recovered. The remains of another three airmen were located and were in the process of being recovered, according to Ryder.

"The recovery operation will now focus on locating and recovering the remaining two airmen and aircraft debris," Ryder said Tuesday.

The deceased airmen are:

• Air Force Maj. Jeffrey T. Hoernemann, 32, of Andover, Minnesota, was a CV-22 Osprey instructor pilot and officer in charge of training. He was assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan.
• Air Force Maj. Eric V. Spendlove, 36, of St. George, Utah, was a residency trained flight surgeon and medical operations flight commander. He was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan.
• Air Force Maj. Luke A. Unrath, 34, of Riverside, California, was a CV-22 pilot and flight commander. He was assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan.
• Air Force Capt. Terrell K. Brayman, 32, of Pittsford, New York, was a CV-22 pilot and flight commander. He was assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan.
• Air Force Tech. Sgt. Zachary E. Lavoy, 33, of Oviedo, Florida, was a medical operations flight chief. He was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan.
• Air Force Staff Sgt. Jake M. Turnage, 25, of Kennesaw, Georgia, was a flight engineer. He was assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan.
• Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob M. Galliher, 24, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was a direct support operator. He was assigned to the 43rd Intelligence Squadron, 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan.
• Air Force Senior Airman Brian K. Johnson, 32, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, was a flight engineer. He was assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of eight American troops in a tragic aircraft crash off the coast of Japan," said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in a statement released today. "The entire Department of Defense mourns alongside the families and the loved ones of those who lost their lives today in the service of their country. My heart also goes out to those who were serving alongside these brave men and women in Japan."

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.