Star Wars Canyon

Star Wars Canyon. Military Training. , Before you is part of one of the largest military aircraft training areas in the U.S. It has been used continuously since the 1930s. Much of what is now the western portion of Death Valley National Park was added under the condition that this training would continue. , Rainbow Canyon, below, is used for low level navigation training. It earned it the nickname "Star Wars Canyon" due to technical flight maneuvers done here. , Navigating at low altitude and high speed is a necessary skill for military pilots to develop, hone, and practice. Many tasks must be performed simultaneously while at high speeds, requiring immense technical skill. , Military pilots spend hours in a simulator prior to their first low level flight, and only the most qualified pilots are given permission to fly here. , A Tribute to a Hero , On July 31, 2019, Lieutenant Commander Charles Z. Walker died in a tragic training accident in Rainbow Canyon. He was flying a F/A-18E Super Hornet based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. , He lived his dream of being a Navy fighter pilot and a graduate of the prestigious Top Gun school. , LtCr Walker served as Training Officer and Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor, with over 2,000 flight hours, 465 carrier landings, and flew 9 combat missions. , Over his impressive career he was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy Achievement Medals, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and additional unit and service awards. He was survived by his parents and wife.