'A fantastic officer': Fellow officers remember Sheppard instructor pilot

Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News
·2 min read
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Fellow officers on Tuesday remembered Capt. John Robertson as a man of faith who embodied the core values of the U.S. Air Force.

Robertson died from injuries he suffered when the ejection seat of a T-6A Texan II activated during a ground operation on May 13.

Robertson
Robertson

“Capt. Robertson was a fantastic officer,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Roberson, director of operations at the 80th Operations Support Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base.

Roberson said he and Robertson were together in a prayer group.

Lt. Col. Matthew Roberson (left), Lt. Col. James Killian (middle), and Capt. John Connolly (right) spoke of their friend, the late Capt. John Robertson, at Sheppard Air Force Base on Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Matthew Roberson (left), Lt. Col. James Killian (middle), and Capt. John Connolly (right) spoke of their friend, the late Capt. John Robertson, at Sheppard Air Force Base on Tuesday.

“John was a man of integrity. He was the same no matter where you saw him. Service before self has been his mantra,” Roberson said. “Whenever we would pray together, he was always praying for other people.”

He said he has met with Robertson’s family, and they grieved together.

“I knew he was with the God he believed in. I believe he’s in a better place right now," Roberson said.

Capt. John Robertson is seen in the cockpit of a T-6A Texan II. Another trainer is visible flying nearby.
Capt. John Robertson is seen in the cockpit of a T-6A Texan II. Another trainer is visible flying nearby.

He recalled Robertson was a serious man by nature.

“Sometimes it would take some time for a joke to set in. He’d get it, and he’d laugh,” Roberson said.

Lt. Col James Killian, assistant director of operations in the 97th Flying Training Squadron, first met Robertson when he was a student in T-6 program.

“He was a great team member. He really encouraged his fellow students in the flight room,” Killian said.

Capt. John Robertson's jacket rests on a chair at the flight room Tuesday at Sheppard Air Force Base.
Capt. John Robertson's jacket rests on a chair at the flight room Tuesday at Sheppard Air Force Base.

Killian was also a member of the prayer group and got to know Robertson outside of work. The two took some cross-country trips together.

“John was the same whether it was in the prayer group or in the flight room teaching students,” Killian said. ”I think it’s a great testament to who he was that even an old guy like me could learn from a young captain like John."

Killian said Robertson's friends are mourning the loss.

“We’re sad that he’s not here with us, but we truly have joy knowing he is with the Father now,” he said.

“When I heard it was J.R., I was speechless,” said Capt. John Connolly, a fellow instructor. “It was rough. It was rough hearing about it. It hit real close to home. Everyone is sad we’re having just a great guy in the squadron gone.”

Connolly said Robertson got involved in his Bible study and later attended his church.

“He was the kindest guy, and we’re going to miss him. All the outpouring and all the support from the community has been fantastic,” Connolly said.

An interim safety board investigation was convened immediately following the incident, and a full Air Force Safety Investigation Board is expected to be in place later this week. The board will release its report when the investigation is complete.

The T-6A Texan II is a prop plane that student pilots train in before they move on to the T-38 jets.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Fellow officers remember flying instructor as a "fantastic officer"