Three USAF Personnel Feared Lost in Kyrgyzstan

Two members of the USAF have died in an incident in northern Kyrgyzstan.  A third is missing and feared dead.

A USAF KC-135 based at Manas AB departed yesterday on an aerial refueling mission in support of operations in Afghanistan.

Takeoff was normal.  Sometime afterward, a witness reported hearing an explosion, followed several seconds later by a second explosion and the breakup of the aircraft.  The aircraft then crashed, scattering debris over an area with radius of approximately 1-km.

At least one individual calling in to a hotline reported seeing a parachute during the aircraft’s breakup and crash.  Remains from two individuals have been reported recovered; they have not yet been identified.  Portions of the debris field extends over relatively rough terrain.

The third airman on board remains missing.  The incident is under investigation.  Names of the aircrew and other details relating to the incident have not yet been released.

Rest in peace, my late brothers-in-arms.  May God comfort your surviving friends and families.

Update:  according to this article, the aircraft itself was apparently based at McConnell AFB, KS.  However, the crew flying the aircraft that day appears to have been assigned to Fairchild AFB, WA.  The aircraft apparently went down approximately 100mi west of Manas AB, near the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border.

Category: Air Force, Terror War