Axalp Air Force fire event cancelled
Bern, 30.09.2016 - Following two accidents in the past four weeks that have cost the lives of three Swiss Air Force service men, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin has decided to cancel the Air Force live fire event due to take place at Axalp on 12 and 13 October 2016.
The DDPS Board has cancelled the Axalp Swiss Air Force live fire event due to take place on 12 and 13 October 2016. The department’s senior management has taken this difficult decision out of profound sympathy and respect for the three Swiss Armed Forces pilots who were killed and the cabin crew member who was severely injured in the accident.
The Commander of the Swiss Air Force has also decided to cancel the associated shooting practice at Axalp from 11 to 13 October.
On Wednesday, 28 September 2016, a Super Puma helicopter crashed at the St Gotthard Pass. Both pilots were killed and the cabin crew member severely injured. This incident occurred just a month after an F/A-18 crashed at the Susten Pass on 29 August, killing the pilot. On 9 June 2016 a Tiger F-5 jet crashed during an air show in Leeuwarden (NL), and on 14 October 2015 an F/A-18 crashed in the French Jura mountains, two incidents in which the pilots were able to eject.
Address for enquiries
Urs Wiedmer
Head of the DDPS Communication
058 464 50 82
Publisher
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
http://www.vbs.admin.ch
Defence
http://www.vtg.admin.ch
Air Force
http://www.lw.admin.ch
