President honors pilots killed in trainer crash at funeral service

Taipei, June 17 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) attended a funeral service for Air Force colonels Lu Chi-yu (盧季佑) and Kuo Chun-nan (過俊男) at the Air Force Academy in Kaohsiung Wednesday, paying tribute to the two officers who were killed in a trainer aircraft crash earlier this month.

Lai presented posthumous commendations and extended his condolences to their families during the ceremony.

Both Lu and Kuo were posthumously promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel on June 2, the day they were killed when their T-34 trainer aircraft crashed during a training mission.

Military officials told CNA that the officers' ashes will be interred at the Republic of China Air Force Martyrs' Cemetery.

In a Facebook post, Lai thanked Lu and Kuo for their years of service training military personnel and safeguarding Taiwan's airspace.

"Your mission is complete. Please lay down your burdens and soar in peace," Lai wrote, adding "We will always be proud of you."

He also instructed the Ministry of National Defense to provide the best possible care and support for the officers' families during this difficult time.

According to the Air Force, the aircraft, tail number 3414, was conducting a simulated engine-failure training exercise when it crashed 21 minutes after takeoff at Gangshan Air Base in Kaohsiung, killing both officers.

The Air Force said on June 13 that the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.