CAFB instructor dies in crash

An Air Force T-38 Talon instructor pilot assigned to the Columbus (Miss.) Air Force Base died in a non-military plane crash in Texas this past weekend. Major Richard "Tracer" Schafer III, 35, died Sunday night after his private plane crashed near Abilene, Texas, according to CAFB officials. Schafer's brother, Matthew of Abilene, also died in the crash. Matthew's wife and child were also on board the aircraft and survived. Maj. Schafer was an Air Force Academy graduate and was assigned to CAFB’s 49th Fighter Training Squadron. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the NTSB. (Source: Columbus Dispatch, 09/02/14)