Former Fairfax Man Dies In U-2 Crash in England; Bosnia Mission Claims First U.S. Pilot From: The Washington Post Date: August 30, 1995 Author: Robert O'Harrow Jr. More results for: "David Hawkens" Langley | Copyright information Copyright 1995 The Washington Post. This material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post.
A former Fairfax County man assigned to conduct air surveillance for NATO operations in Bosnia was killed early yesterday when his jet crashed shortly after takeoff from a base in England, officials said.
Air Force Capt. David Hawkens, who attended Langley High School and graduated from the Air Force Academy, had reported mechanical trouble in his U-2 jet and was trying to land when he crashed about 80 miles west of London. He died in a hospital a short time later, Air Force officials said.
Hawkens, 35, is the first U.S. military pilot to die while supporting the NATO mission in Bosnia, according to Maj. Mary Feltault, an Air Force spokeswoman. He was flying for NATO's Operation Deny Flight, ...
I am SHOCKED!! I had no idea that David was gone. He was always so much fun to have around... a very unique person. I will miss him. Unfortunately, I lost my Langley yearbook. If anyone has a picture of him, could you please post it? Thanks..
This post was written by Fred Berg who contacted me requesting this be posted!
“For all of you who knew Hawk, please keep his memory safe in your hearts as I do. I have known most of you since we were in grade school…Hawk as well. He and I grew up playing Little League baseball together, went to college together and wound up flying the U-2 together. I took his assignment to Saudi Arabia and he, in turn, took mine to England. He and I were both airborne on the same day of his crash. The news to me was stunning. While it is hard to understand why certain events take place in your life, keep in mind your memories of him…a warm friendly person who went out of his way to help those he could. If he were here he would remind every person that life is precious. Please keep him in your hearts with fond memories as I do. Fred Berg.”
I have only wonderful memories of David . We went all through school together and were the best of friends. He was truly one of the nicest people to have grown up with. Rest well David Paige
David and I became best friends in third grade at Chesterbrook Elementary School. He and we were very close for many years. The last time he and I spoke, he asked to use me as a reference on his application for the Air Force Academy. His death was indeed tragic, but he was passionate about the Air Force. He was proud to follow in his father's footsteps. Hawk is greatly missed, but he will never be forgotten by anyone who knew him. He was a true friend in every sense of the word.
I met David at Cooper - in English class. Although we were never close, he was a friend to everyone, and even then I could tell he was one of the best -- someone whose compass was always, always pointing to True North. We are all proud of you, David. Rest in peace.
I remember the smile most of all. It filled a room and was so...just--- downright genuine and infectious.
The connections continue to amaze me and make me so sorry I lost touch with the Langley crowd. At the time of Hawk's final flight, my brother Bill Flynn (Langley '79) was a Navy reservist flying in Bosnia. Athough he can neither confirm nor deny...we have had hints from buddies that Bill was jamming enemy radar on the F-16 pilot rescue where US special forces extracted Scott O'Grady. Looking at the timeline...they would have been using David Hawkins's U2 overflight photos among other intelligence to plan that mission, resulting in saving Lt. O'Grady's life.
David McDonald
Former Fairfax Man Dies In U-2 Crash in England; Bosnia Mission Claims First U.S. PilotFrom: The Washington Post Date: August 30, 1995 Author: Robert O'Harrow Jr. More results for: "David Hawkens" Langley | Copyright information Copyright 1995 The Washington Post. This material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post.
A former Fairfax County man assigned to conduct air surveillance for NATO operations in Bosnia was killed early yesterday when his jet crashed shortly after takeoff from a base in England, officials said.
Air Force Capt. David Hawkens, who attended Langley High School and graduated from the Air Force Academy, had reported mechanical trouble in his U-2 jet and was trying to land when he crashed about 80 miles west of London. He died in a hospital a short time later, Air Force officials said.
Hawkens, 35, is the first U.S. military pilot to die while supporting the NATO mission in Bosnia, according to Maj. Mary Feltault, an Air Force spokeswoman. He was flying for NATO's Operation Deny Flight, ...
Tish Goss
I am SHOCKED!! I had no idea that David was gone. He was always so much fun to have around... a very unique person. I will miss him. Unfortunately, I lost my Langley yearbook. If anyone has a picture of him, could you please post it? Thanks..Connie Carey (Lamothe)
This post was written by Fred Berg who contacted me requesting this be posted!“For all of you who knew Hawk, please keep his memory safe in your hearts as I do. I have known most of you since we were in grade school…Hawk as well. He and I grew up playing Little League baseball together, went to college together and wound up flying the U-2 together. I took his assignment to Saudi Arabia and he, in turn, took mine to England. He and I were both airborne on the same day of his crash. The news to me was stunning. While it is hard to understand why certain events take place in your life, keep in mind your memories of him…a warm friendly person who went out of his way to help those he could. If he were here he would remind every person that life is precious. Please keep him in your hearts with fond memories as I do. Fred Berg.”
Wendi Paige Gardner (Crouch)
I have only wonderful memories of David . We went all through school together and were the best of friends. He was truly one of the nicest people to have grown up with. Rest well DavidPaige
David Cash
David and I became best friends in third grade at Chesterbrook Elementary School. He and we were very close for many years. The last time he and I spoke, he asked to use me as a reference on his application for the Air Force Academy. His death was indeed tragic, but he was passionate about the Air Force. He was proud to follow in his father's footsteps. Hawk is greatly missed, but he will never be forgotten by anyone who knew him. He was a true friend in every sense of the word.Louisa Walsh (Campbell)
I met David at Cooper - in English class. Although we were never close, he was a friend to everyone, and even then I could tell he was one of the best -- someone whose compass was always, always pointing to True North. We are all proud of you, David. Rest in peace.Terri/Therese Flynn (Karsten)
I remember the smile most of all. It filled a room and was so...just--- downright genuine and infectious.The connections continue to amaze me and make me so sorry I lost touch with the Langley crowd. At the time of Hawk's final flight, my brother Bill Flynn (Langley '79) was a Navy reservist flying in Bosnia. Athough he can neither confirm nor deny...we have had hints from buddies that Bill was jamming enemy radar on the F-16 pilot rescue where US special forces extracted Scott O'Grady. Looking at the timeline...they would have been using David Hawkins's U2 overflight photos among other intelligence to plan that mission, resulting in saving Lt. O'Grady's life.