Maj. Hoernemann, 32, of Andover was one of eight airmen killed last week when their Osprey aircraft crashed over the coast of Yakushima Island, Japan during a routine training mission. He served as a CV-22 instructor pilot and officer in charge of training. Hoernemann was assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron at Yokata Air Base.
You can read Emmer’s remarks in full below:
I rise to honor U.S. Air Force Major Jeff Hoernemann of Andover. Jeff lost his life last week, along with seven other airmen, during a routine training mission off the coast of Japan. He was just 32 years old.
Throughout his life, Jeff had a competitive spirit and was uniquely disciplined. A graduate of Andover High School, Jeff broke school and conference records in the indoor 800 meters and four by 800-meter relay. As a teenager, he won a fifteen-thousand-dollar scholarship with an essay describing his careful budgeting to purchase a bike for triathlons.
After competing in cross country and earning a degree in mechanical engineering from North Dakota State University, Jeff entered the Air Force. In 2016, he became a pilot after completing Columbus Air Force Base’s Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class.
Jeff dedicated his life to service and made the ultimate sacrifice. Today, across the city of Andover, the state of Minnesota, and this county, we honor his life and preserve his memory. Our prayers are with Jeff’s wife, Jess; his parents, Thomas and Catherine; and his brother, Jared. I yield back.
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