The US Air Force pilot left missing after an incident off the eastern coast of England on Monday has been identified by unit command.
Kenneth “Kage” Allen, 27, from northern Utah, was based with the 48th Fighter Wing at RAAF Lakenheath since the start of the year. An accomplished First Lieutenant, he also acted as assistant chief of weapons and tactics for the 493rd Fighter Squadron.
1st Lt. Kenneth Allen pic.twitter.com/lrSTO8dpoQ
— Jade Elliott (@JadeElliottTV) June 16, 2020
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lt Allen, and mourn with his family and his fellow Reapers in the 493rd Fighter Squadron,” said Colonel Will Marshall, 48th Fighter Wing commander, late on Tuesday.
“The tremendous outpouring of love and support from our communities has been a ray of light in this time of darkness.”
UK outlets reported that Lt Allen’s wife Hannah posted a tribute to her husband on her Facebook page on Tuesday. She said there were “no words to express how shaken I am”.
This is the 48th Fighter Wing’s first F-15 crash since 2014, and USAF’s first F-15C crash in two years. Online flight tracking services show USAF KC-135s and KC-10s in the crash area as well as NATO E-3As.
USAF did not provide comment on the crash, nor any factors that may have led to it.
