Photo By Airman Hannah Bench | Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William “Mother” Forkner, Air Education and...... read more read more
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – At 8 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2000, U.S. Air Force Capt. Warren “Reefer” Sneed, former 14th Fighter Squadron’s (FS) assistant weapons officer, launched from Misawa Air Base as the lead of a four-ship formation. The team’s task was an offensive counter-air mission supporting bilateral training with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Engines from Misawa’s F-16s echoed across the flightline as ground crews moved with the high-tempo rhythm of exercise Keen Sword-01 (KS-01).
The morning was calm, the skies steady, and everything about the mission routine; until it wasn’t.
“The collision occurred about 3,000 feet in front of me over the Sea of Japan,” said retired Lt. Col. William “Mother” Forkner, Air Education and Training Command chief of combat air forces training branch, who was the 14th FS flight commander at that time. “Halfway through the second turn of a G-warmup exercise, Reefer and his wingman collided, resulting in catastrophic damage to both aircraft.”
In an instant, aircraft designed to rule the air became objects falling toward the sea, pulled from flight to water in seconds in a flare of metal debris.
“That day,” Forkner said, “I was Reefer’s flight commander and squadron mate, but also No. 3 in that formation. This event is very personal to me.”
Forkner said he drove into the first search sweeps over the impact site, shifting to rescue frequencies as his focus tightened on the storming surface below. The Sea of Japan rolled with five to nine foot swells, the reflections broken by clouds that turned every pass into a fight for visibility. Early calls back to the rescue force reported no survivors as the aircraft’s shadow passed over nothing but rolling waves.
Nearly twenty minutes into the search, a streak of orange finally cut through the haze. Forkner spotted a smoke flare and relayed the sighting, confirming the No. 2 pilot’s survival and providing the first concrete sign amid the expanding rescue effort.
Search and rescue surged into motion. The U.S. Navy, Air Force, JASDF and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force swept the area from sea and sky, retrieving the No. 2 pilot and continuing to look for Reefer. Helicopters skimmed the surface for signs of life. Aircraft carved search lanes through the cloud deck. Naval vessels scanned more than 6,000 square miles of ocean in the days that followed.
After 48 hours, the search was suspended and the U.S. flag on base was lowered to half-staff.
“It was not the desired outcome, but I am thankful for all of their efforts,” Forkner said. “I wasn’t Reefer’s best friend, but as my Samurai colleagues will attest, you grow very close through deployments, exercises and long workdays together week after week. He worked extremely hard and served as a leader everywhere he went.”
The loss reverberated throughout the 14th FS and the 35th Fighter Wing (FW). Reefer was remembered as a steadying presence within the “Fightin’ Samurai,” known for his focus, technical expertise and the humor that lifted morale even on the hardest days. His impact shaped the culture of excellence that the squadron still carries forward.
“Reefer made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his country,” Forkner said. “But service isn’t defined by a single decision or moment. It’s a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice. The folks I served with, and those who came before, understood that. It deserves to be recognized at least once a year, if not every day.”
Nearly 25 years later, Forkner returned to Misawa to honor Reefer’s memory and to mark the base’s Veterans Day observance. The day carried a heightened weight, blending remembrance with a renewed appreciation for the Airmen who continue the mission today.
“We have a long history of sacrifice in the U.S. Air Force, and that’s what Veterans Day is about: recognizing the sacrifices others made and understanding you’re not alone,” Forkner said. “Everything we do is in defense of the United States, and it’s a task worth doing.”
The 35th FW recognized Reefer, who was lost over the Sea of Japan during KS-01, reminding all that mission readiness is built on the dedication and sacrifice of those who came before. Airmen and family members gathered together under a sunny sky and a brisk autumn breeze on Nov. 13, 2025 to listen to a speech given by Forkner. It tied together generations of Airmen whose service strengthened the force and protected the nation.
“This is an opportunity to recognize one of many who have come through here who have given their life or gone on to do great things,” Forkner said during his speech. “Through this small action today, we celebrate Reefer’s life, we honor his accomplishments and we acknowledge his sacrifice.”
Now, as fighter jets once again climb through Misawa’s cold November air, their roar echoes a familiar rhythm. The aircraft rise through the same cloud layers that carried Reefer’s last flight, each sortie a testament to the Airmen who served before. For the 35th FW, the sound overhead remains more than a symbol of power. It is a reminder of purpose, sacrifice and the enduring promise to fight tonight and defend the skies with honor.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2025 21:45 |
| Story ID: | 551477 |
| Location: | MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, One of Many: Honoring Capt. Warren “Reefer” Sneed, by Amn Hannah Bench, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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