Family, friends, Air Force say 'goodbye' to pilot

  • Published
  • By Deborah Marie Gibson
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Maj. Troy Gilbert was laid to rest Monday at Arlington National Cemetery, in the presence of family and friends at a graveside ceremony. Full military honors and a flyover honored the Luke pilot.

On Nov. 27, Major Gilbert was flying an F-16C in direct support of coalition ground combat operationswhen his plane crashed approximately 20 miles northwest of Bagdad.

The 34-year-old major, known by his call sign "Trojan",was assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron and deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, at Balad Air Base, Iraq. He resided in Litchfield Park with his wife, Ginger, and five children.

The 13-year Air Force veteran flew more than 130 F-16 combat hours. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, a Purple Heart and the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Brigadier Gen. Tom Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander, along with several commanders from Luke and across the Air Force, attended Monday's service to pay their final respects to Major Gilbert.

"Major Gilbert will be remembered as a patriot, warrior and a proud American who volunteered to serve in his nation's Air Force," said General Jones.