US National Guard commander killed in car crash
Jul 10, 2024
New Hampshire [US], July 10: On July 10, the military magazine Task & Purpose reported that Brigadier General John Pogorek, commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard (NHANG), passed away after a car accident on the evening of July 8.
General Pogorek was inspecting the cargo on a trailer attached to his pickup truck on the side of the road when it was hit by an SUV.
The accident occurred near Mr. Pogorek's home in Rochester and the person involved fled the scene. Police later located the vehicle and the 81-year-old driver. Police are continuing to investigate and have not decided on charges. Mr. Pogorek was injured and died at the scene. A minor was in the car but was not injured.
Mr. Pogorek (57 years old) has been the commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard since June 2022. He is a veteran refueling pilot who previously commanded the NHANG's 157th Air Refueling Squadron. Under Mr. Pogorek, the force switched to using KC-46 aircraft from Cold War-era KC-135 aircraft.
Mr. Pogorek graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1989, then served as a pilot flying HC-130 tankers in special operations and combat search and rescue units, stationed in the UK. He then transferred to flying KC-135 aircraft and joined NHANG in 1999.
For the past 25 years, he served as a KC-135 pilot instructor and evaluator and held several leadership positions within the 157th before taking over command of the wing in 2018.
He previously managed more than 1,300 officers, airmen, and civilians at Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington. General Pogorek logged more than 6,675 flight hours in 31 years as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and NHANG. He oversaw the deployment and operations of the Air National Guard's first fleet of KC-46A tankers.
Mr. Pogorek is survived by his wife and five children. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu offered his sincere condolences to General Pogorek's family. "General Pogorek served his state, his country and his community with honor. His commitment and contributions to our state will never be forgotten," Mr. Sununu said.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
