It is with great sadness that we write about the tragic death of Captain Asaf Ramon, who was killed in a crash while flying an Israeli Air Force F16-A during a routine training flight on Sunday afternoon.

Asaf Ramon z”l was the son of Ilan Ramon z”l, Israel’s first astronaut and one of seven crew members killed when the U.S Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry on 1 February 2003.

Asaf completed the IAF’s training course for pilots and in June he was given his pilot’s wings by President Shimon Peres. Shortly before receiving he wings he stated, “It was important to me to mention my father and tell his stories, because I am proud of him and proud to be his son. But I also want people to know me as Asaf and not just as the son of astronaut Ian Ramon”. Having excelled in the course, he was well on his way to making a name for himself.

Asaf was 15 at the time of his father’s death. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his father and serve as a pilot, and maybe even an astronaut, in the future.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reacted to the crash by saying, “This is a dreadful tragedy for Rona [Ramon], the entire Ramon family, and the entire nation… It is rare that a private tragedy pierces the heart of the nation with such strength. Today we all grieve the death of Asaf, who fell from the heavens like his father Ilan.”

Asaf will be laid to rest next to his father today at 4:00pm Israel time. Asaf is survived by his mother, his two younger brothers and younger sister.

Asaf Ramon – Yehi Zichro Baruch – May His Memory Be Blessed.

For some more information about the tragedy:

Astronaut Ilan Ramon’s son dies in IAF crash – Haaretz
‘Hope to become an astronaut like my father’ – Ynet
PM: Entire nation consumed by unending grief – Ynet
Asaf Ramon’s F-16A was same fighter his father flew to Iraq – Haaretz
Asaf Ramon to be laid to rest next to his father Ilan – Jerusalem Post
and for Hebrew Speakers:
החברים על אסף: הוא היה אדם מושלם