Fact Check: "Virts highlights military service, flying combat missions at age 17."
What We Know
The claim that Terry Virts highlights military service, specifically flying combat missions at age 17, requires examination of his military career and the timeline of his service. According to his Wikipedia page, Virts was born on December 1, 1967, and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989. This means he would have been 21 years old when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and began his formal military training.
Further investigation into his military service reveals that he did not fly combat missions until after he had completed his training and was assigned to operational units. Reports indicate that he flew combat missions over Iraq, but these occurred well after he turned 21, contradicting the claim that he flew combat missions at 17 years old (Houston Public Media).
Analysis
The assertion that Virts flew combat missions at age 17 is misleading and inaccurate. The timeline of his military career clearly shows that he was not eligible to serve as a pilot until he completed his education and training, which occurred after he turned 21. The source of this claim appears to stem from a misinterpretation of his early military career.
While it is true that Virts has a distinguished military background, including flying combat missions, the specific detail of him doing so at the age of 17 is factually incorrect. The credibility of the sources that discuss his military service, such as his Wikipedia entry and the report from Houston Public Media, is high, as they are well-established and provide verifiable information about his career.
In contrast, the claim lacks direct attribution to a reliable source, making it less credible. The misrepresentation of his age when he began flying combat missions could stem from a misunderstanding or an exaggeration of his military accomplishments.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that Terry Virts highlights flying combat missions at age 17 is false. He was born in December 1967 and did not begin his military career until he graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1989, at which point he was 21 years old. The timeline of his service does not support the assertion that he flew combat missions at such a young age.
