One pilot was killed when their U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle crashed at approximately 9:40 a.m. (BST), June 15 in the North Sea. Dead is 1st Lt. Kenneth Allen, assistant chief of weapons and tactics for the 493rd Fighter Squadron. The aircraft, from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, was on a routine training mission at the time of the crash.
Allen first arrived at the 48th Fighter Wing in Feb. 2020, and is survived by his wife and parents.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lt. Allen, and mourn with his family and his fellow Reapers in the 493rd Fighter Squadron. The tremendous outpouring of love and support from our communities has been a ray of light in this time of darkness,” said Col. Will Marshall, 48th FW commander.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The 48th Fighter Wing (48 FW) is part of the United States Air Force’s Third Air Force, assigned to Headquarters Air Command Europe and United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). It is based at RAF Lakenheath, England. The 48 FW is the only F-15 wing based in Europe and consists of both F-15C/D Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. The 48 FW was given the name “Statue of Liberty Wing” on 4 July 1954 and remains the only U.S. Air Force unit with both a name and a numerical designation. The 48 FW operates in support of United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, United States European Command and NATO.
