At the end of the day, this was a tragic loss of life. My thoughts and prayers are with the young pilot’s family and loved ones.
Before we turn this tragedy into chest-thumping or celebration, we should remember that accidents like this occur in every air force. It’s one thing to root for our team in wartime, but this is not that. This is a human loss.
Let’s show the world that we are thoughtful, educated people—capable of empathy while still willing to defend ourselves with force when necessary. As Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”