Fact Check: "Virts highlights his military background, joining at 17 and flying combat missions."
What We Know
Terry Virts is a retired NASA astronaut and a colonel in the United States Air Force. He was indeed commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989. Notably, he joined the military at the age of 17, which aligns with the claim made. His military career included flying combat missions, specifically over Iraq, as part of his service in the Air Force (Terry Virts, Texas Tribune).
Virts has logged over 5,300 flight hours in various aircraft, indicating extensive experience as a pilot (Terry Virts). His training included formal instruction in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and he served in multiple squadrons, which further supports the assertion that he flew combat missions during his military career (Terry Virts).
Analysis
The claim that Virts highlights his military background and joined the military at 17 is substantiated by multiple credible sources. His biography on Wikipedia confirms his early entry into the military and his subsequent training and operational roles (Terry Virts). Furthermore, the Texas Tribune article explicitly states that he "joined the military at 17 and went on to fly combat missions over Iraq," reinforcing the accuracy of the claim (Texas Tribune).
However, while the claim is largely accurate, it is important to note that the phrasing "highlights his military background" could imply a promotional or political context, which may not be explicitly documented in the sources. The context of his military service is primarily derived from his biography and recent political activities, rather than a specific statement or emphasis from Virts himself.
The sources used are reliable, with the Wikipedia entry being a well-maintained and frequently updated resource, and the Texas Tribune being a reputable news outlet known for its political coverage in Texas (Terry Virts, Texas Tribune).
Conclusion
The claim that "Virts highlights his military background, joining at 17 and flying combat missions" is Partially True. It is accurate that he joined the military at 17 and flew combat missions; however, the interpretation of how he highlights this background may vary and is not explicitly detailed in the sources. Thus, while the factual basis is solid, the nuance of "highlighting" requires further context.
