May 17. The Air Force instructor pilot who died early this week from injuries sustained May 13 at Sheppard Air Force Base grew up in Cornelius and attended SouthLake Christian School.

Capt. John Robertson of the 80th Operations Support Squadron was gravely injured when the ejection seat of the T-6A Texan II aircraft he was in activated during ground operations.

Capt. Robertson

“This is a devastating loss for Capt. Robertson’s family and loved ones, and for the entire 80th Flying Training Wing,” said Col. Mitchell J. Cok, the acting wing commander. “He was a highly valued Airman and instructor pilot.”

He was 27 years old and a 2015 graduate of SouthLake Christian.

Robertson was commissioned as an officer from the Air Force Academy and entered active duty on May 30, 2019.

Awards and decorations he received included the Air Force Training Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the National Defense Service Medal and Armed Forces Service Medal, the service said in an emailed statement.

Robertson’s parents are Michelle and Steve Robertson. He is also survived by siblings Catherine, Patrick and Sasha.

Interment, services

Interment takes place at 2 pm May 24 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

A Memorial Service with military honors will be held at 3:30 pm May 28 at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 5 pm May 30 at Life Fellowship Church on Chartown Drive in Cornelius.