If you look up at the sky in West Des Moines on a Saturday morning, you might see F-16 fighter jets flying overhead.
They are in honor of Brig. Gen. Travis Acheson died on June 21 after battling brain cancer for the past year.
Who is Brig. General Travis Acheson?
Acheson was born on July 4, 1968, in Des Moines. He grew up on Army Post Road in West Des Moines and graduated from Valley High School in 1986, according to an obituary published in the Des Moines Register. Acheson graduated from the University of Iowa and spent most of his life flying airplanes, his obituary said.
When Acheson retired as a brigadier general in 2022, his entire service spanned 33 years. He was a command pilot with nearly 3,000 hours of flying time in the F-16 fighter jet. Acheson also spent more than 20 years as a commercial pilot with American Airlines.
When can you see the F-16?
The F-16 jets will fly over West Des Moines from approximately 10:30 to 11 a.m. in honor of Acheson. Weather could affect the visibility of the jets. The F-16s were expected to fly into Des Moines on Friday prior to the ceremony.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on the Des Moines Register: F-16 jets fly over Des Moines in honor of U.S. Air Force veteran
