August 9, 1996: An F/A-18C, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, operating from the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT CVN 71 crashed at sea. Lt. Craig M. Munsen was killed.
Lt. Munsen was the husband of Emmanuelle and the father of Nicolas. He was a graduate of Jacksonville University and born in Story City, IA.
Craig was my first flight student. He was extremely bright, a superb pilot and always a perfect gentleman. His family will be forever in my prayers.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT (NWSA) -- An intensive search has ended for the pilot of an F/A-18, which was lost on approach to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), near Puerto Rico Aug. 9.
LT Craig Munsen, 29, of Des Moines, Iowa, of Strike FighterSquadron (VFA) 105, has been declared dead. He had been conducting routine training flight operations when the aircraft was lost at about 10 p.m. Friday.
Two H-60 "Seahawk" search and rescue helicopters responded immediately after the aircraft was lost. USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), from Mayport, Fla., aided in the search. While some debris from the aircraft was located, Munsen was not recovered.
A memorial service for Munsen was conducted in Theodore Roosevelt Monday morning.
VFA-105 is based at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Fla.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the mishap.
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Happier Times, VT-27 1989:
