Tale of a late Muslim Pakistani American F-15 Pilot














Muslim F-15 Pilot Killed in Mid-Air Collision



Friday, March 07 2008 @ 06:12 PM EST

Contributed by: Muslim Military Members Webmaster







EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- Air Force, 1st Lieutenant Ali Jivanjee, of
the 58th Fighter Squadron, died due to injuries sustained during an F-15
aircraft accident Feb 20.



The name of the second pilot involved in the mishap is not being
released at this time due to the ongoing investigation; he was released
from the Eglin hospital Wednesday and was in good condition.



The 33d Fighter Wing requests that the media respect the privacy of Lieutenant Jivanjee's family during their time of loss.



An Interim Safety Board has convened at the 33d Fighter Wing to begin
investigating the Feb. 20 crash of two F-15C Eagles over the Gulf of
Mexico.



Both F-15s were assigned to the 58th FS within the 33d FW. The 33d FW is
scheduled to return to normal flying operation on Monday, Feb. 25.
Thirty-third Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Todd Harmer temporarily
suspended flying operations following the crash.



Fla. — Lt. Ali Jivanjee performed a unique balancing act as an American Air Force fighter jet pilot and a devout Muslim.

His casket, draped in an American flag, and carried by men in
traditional Pakistani clothes somberly captured that for mourners during
his traditional Muslim burial last week. On Wednesday, more than
500 squadron members, friends and family gathered for another memorial
at Eglin Air Force Base's 58th Fighter Squadron.







Jivanjee, who was killed in a mid-air crash with another F-15 C Eagle
pilot in a training mission above the Gulf of Mexico, joked with his
fellow aviators by signing various military documents "Jihad" after they
teased him about his first and middle names — Ali Akbar, his commander,
Lt. Col. Todd Jaxx, said at a memorial Wednesday.



Fellow pilots eventually gave Jivanjee the call sign "Danny Boy," saying he needed a strong Irish name, Jaxx said. The
twenty-six-year-old pilot from San Dimas, Calif., grew up in a
Pakastani-American family and graduated from UCLA with a degree in
electrical engineering before joining the Air Force in 2004.



"He was an outstanding fighter pilot, a stellar officer, an obedient
son and a devout Muslim who was an amazing poker player. To several of
us in this room, many of those things would seem to be in conflict but
it was not an issue for Ali because above all else Ali is a great
American," Jaxx said.



Jivanjee's parents, brother and wife attended Wednesday's memorial but
did not speak.He received a traditional Muslim burial in Tampa Friday
evening.Ahmed Bedier, executive director of the Tampa office of the
Counsel on American-Islamic Relations said Jivanjee's military service
was unique.






F-15s from
Jivanjee's squadron perform a missing-man formation in his honor. F-15s
were grounded for weeks after flaws were found in some. (By Nick Tomecek
-- Associated Press)






"He was a model example of a person who was able to balance parts of his
life. He was a pilot flying the F-15 and he could have accomplished so
much," he said.



Jaxx said Jivanjee had wanted to become a fighter pilot since age 12.

He not only achieved his dreamed, but excelled by obtaining an exceptionally qualified rating on his check ride, he said.



An Air Force board is investigating the Feb. 20 crash. The second pilot,
who has not been identified publicly by the military, ejected and was
treated and released from a local hospital. Both F-15 Cs were lost in
the crash.



The fighter wing resumed its normal training schedule on Monday after suspending flights following the crash.

'A true American hero' F-15 pilot Ali Jivanjee, who died after Wednesday's crash, is remembered as 'phenomenal' man



By Robbyn Brooks



EGLIN AFB — He was a good man. He loved his wife and his job. People were drawn to his charismatic personality.



Friends who spoke about 1st Lt. Ali Jivanjee Friday all echoed the same
thoughts about the pilot killed in the F-15 crash off the coast of
Panama City Beach on Wednesday.



“He was the type of guy you knew you’d be friends with for the rest of your life,” said his college buddy Aneesh Singhal.



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