Plane crash kills 4 US military personnel in Djibouti (update)

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Four U.S. military personnel died when their military aircraft crashed in Djibouti, according to a story by Voice of America.

The U.S. Africa Command said the aircraft went down late Saturday during a routine flight, according to VOA. The aircraft was about six miles from Djibouti International Airport.

AFRICOM did not describe the type of aircraft nor the circumstances of the crash, the VOA report said.

A safety board investigation has been launched to determine the cause.

The only U.S. military base in Africa is located in Djibouti, according to the VOA report. The base is home to the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

Read the Voice of America article.

DOD Identifies Air Force Casualties

             The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died February 18 when their U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa.  The cause of the accident is under investigation.
            Killed were:
             Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colo.  He was assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
             Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Ga.  He was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
             1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Ore.  He was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
             Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Md.  He was assigned to the 25th Intelligence Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
             For more information media may contact the Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing public affairs office at 850-884-8100.
 

Posted in: Africa, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, Djibouti, United States Africa Command