Capt. Thomas McQueen, originally of Hamilton, Ont., was named as the 4-Wing pilot who died in a CF-18 crash outside Cold Lake on Monday, Nov. 28. "I personally knew Capt.
Capt. Thomas McQueen, originally of Hamilton, Ont., was named as the 4-Wing pilot who died in a CF-18 crash outside Cold Lake on Monday, Nov. 28.
"I personally knew Capt. McQueen and I had the privilege of instructing him as a 410 tactical fighter operational training squadron as he was learning to fly the Hornet," said Col. Paul Doyle, Commander of 4-Wing. "He was dedicated in his service to Canada."
The crash took place during a two-ship formation, part of a scheduled air to ground attack simulation training mission around 11 a.m. on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. McQueen, a 10-year member of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), was flying a CF-18 Hornet.
The simulation was taking place on the Saskatchewan side of the air weapons range when his aircraft crashed.
Emergency services from 4-Wing Cold Lake, including 417 Combat Support group quickly responded to the reported location. Upon arrival, responders found that he didn't survive the crash.
RCAF officials said in a press conference Tuesday morning (Nov. 29) it's too early to determine the cause of the incident. The RCAF Director of Flight Safety is en route from Ottawa to conduct an investigation into why the aircraft went down.
McQueen's fiancé, who lives in the local area, along with his parents and sister in Ontario have been informed of his death. The RCAF has made resources available to friends and family, both in Cold Lake and Ontario, to help them cope with the tragedy.
"Here at 4 Wing and at 401 Squadron we are very much a family, it's like we lost a member of our family yesterday," said Lt.-Col. Joe Mullins of 401 Squadron.
McQueen had deployment experience in Eastern Europe on Operation Reassurance, and had combat flight time in the Middle East on Operation Impact.
"We have lost a member of our RCAF family, and it hurts. We will support the family of Capt. McQueen, and his squadron, to the fullest. And, while the investigation determines the cause of this incident, I commend our men and women who through their grief will continue to serve Canada to their fullest," said Lt.-Gen. Mike Hood, Commander of the RCAF. "Thomas, we will miss you."
McQueen was just a few months away from beginning his upgrading training to become a four-ship lead, which is the highest qualification you can have at 4 Wing.
Doyle added, "His energy and dedication caused him to be recognized to be a leader among his peers and he will be and is forever missed."
