A Chelmsford native piloting a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird ejected safely into a Colorado field Thursday, crashing the fighter jet moments after flying over a crowd watching President Barack Obama's commencement address for Air Force cadets.Watch the reportMaj. Alex Turner has more than 270 combat hours in the over Libya and Iraq. He joined the Air Force in 2005 and joined the Thunderbirds last year.This was his first show season."He just called to let us know he was OK and that everything was fine," said Turner's mother, Amy. "My heart just sank and I was terrified until that moment we found out he was OK."Turner called his parents and explained what happened."He said the seat worked fine. He said he got a couple of swings in the parachute before he hit the ground," said Peter Turner, who served in the Air Force for 20 years.Chelmsford High School Principal Stephen Murray said 2001 graduate Turner was a "standout, straight-A student."Murray said Turner's yearbook quote, "In the face of adversity never, ever blink," couldn't be more fitting."He obviously didn't. He stayed calm, cool and collected and his reactions and his training kept everyone safe around him and kept him safe," Murray said.Photos posted by Airshow News show Turner descending in a parachute. After the crash and a short helicopter ride later, Alex Turner found himself shaking hands with Obama."The president thanked the pilot for his service to the country and expressed his relief that the pilot was not seriously injured," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.Another military show jet, part of the Navy's Blue Angels team, also crashed Thursday afternoon. Get the WCVB News App

A Chelmsford native piloting a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird ejected safely into a Colorado field Thursday, crashing the fighter jet moments after flying over a crowd watching President Barack Obama's commencement address for Air Force cadets.

Watch the report

Maj. Alex Turner has more than 270 combat hours in the over Libya and Iraq. He joined the Air Force in 2005 and joined the Thunderbirds last year.

This was his first show season.

"He just called to let us know he was OK and that everything was fine," said Turner's mother, Amy. "My heart just sank and I was terrified until that moment we found out he was OK."

Turner called his parents and explained what happened.

"He said the seat worked fine. He said he got a couple of swings in the parachute before he hit the ground," said Peter Turner, who served in the Air Force for 20 years.

Chelmsford High School Principal Stephen Murray said 2001 graduate Turner was a "standout, straight-A student."

Murray said Turner's yearbook quote, "In the face of adversity never, ever blink," couldn't be more fitting.

"He obviously didn't. He stayed calm, cool and collected and his reactions and his training kept everyone safe around him and kept him safe," Murray said.

Photos posted by Airshow News show Turner descending in a parachute.

After the crash and a short helicopter ride later, Alex Turner found himself shaking hands with Obama.

"The president thanked the pilot for his service to the country and expressed his relief that the pilot was not seriously injured," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

Another military show jet, part of the Navy's Blue Angels team, also crashed Thursday afternoon.