Fact Check: "Virts highlights military service, joining Air Force 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. According to his Wikipedia page, he was born on December 1, 1967, and joined the Air Force at the age of 17. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Virts completed his pilot training and was assigned to various fighter squadrons, including the 36th Fighter Squadron in South Korea and the 22nd Fighter Squadron in Germany. He has logged over 5,300 flight hours in 40 different aircraft, which includes flying combat missions over Iraq (Houston Public Media).
Analysis
The claim that Virts joined the Air Force at 17 and flew combat missions is supported by credible sources. His military career began after he graduated from high school, and he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon his graduation from the Air Force Academy. His training included flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and he was involved in combat operations, specifically noted for his missions over Iraq (Terry Virts, Houston Public Media).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they include official biographical information from Wikipedia and reputable news outlets. However, it is important to note that while he joined the Air Force at 17, he did not start flying combat missions immediately; he underwent several years of training and assignments before participating in combat operations. This nuance is important when evaluating the claim's accuracy.
Conclusion
The claim that "Virts highlights military service, joining Air Force at 17 and flying combat missions" is Partially True. While it is accurate that he joined the Air Force at 17 and flew combat missions, the context of his military training and the timeline of his service are essential to fully understand the claim. He did not begin flying combat missions until after completing his extensive training and assignments, which is a critical detail that adds depth to the claim.
