No survivors of Elmendorf C-17 crash

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No survivors of Elmendorf C-17 crash

Posted 7/29/2010

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7/29/2010 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) -- Four Airmen were killed when a C-17 Globemaster III crashed here July 28. Three were members of the Alaska Air National Guard and the other was an active duty servicemember here.

"Our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of those Airmen killed in this crash," said Col. John McMullen, the 3rd Wing commander. "Yesterday, we lost four members of our Arctic Warrior family, and it's a loss felt across our entire joint installation. Right now, our immediate focus is on providing all possible support to the loved ones of our fallen aviators. We are also engaged in a deliberate investigative process."

The names of the Airmen are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A board of officers will investigate the accident.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

Comments

8/1/2010 2:10:17 PM ET
. . . a little bit of all of us goes with them with every troop we lose. From The Troop Who Rode One In

Tony Kern, Colorado Springs

8/1/2010 12:17:21 PM ET
Praying for the families. May these Airmen fly with the angels. Much love.

Alana Zautner, McChord AFB WA

7/30/2010 9:49:44 PM ET
Condolences to the families from a C-17 pilot's Mom

M DeVito, NY

7/30/2010 9:08:33 PM ET
As a prior aviator in the 3rd Wing, my prayers go out to the families and members of the 517th and 249th AS. This is a very sad time for all Airmen. RIP.

Jerry, Hurlburt Field FL

7/30/2010 3:28:45 PM ET
May God bless the family of these Airmen. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and Airmen.

Matthew Tirado SrA, McGuire AFB NJ

7/30/2010 3:15:45 PM ET
The Airmen of the Heavy Airlift Wing at Papa Air Base, Hungary, would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the wing, families and units affected. As part of the worldwide community of USAF and FMS C-17 units, every member of our 12-nation team has been touched and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the aircraft and crew of Sitka 44. Clear Skies my friends.

Daniel P. Clark, Ppa Air Base Hungary

7/30/2010 1:53:32 PM ET
My heart breaks for these Airmen and their families. My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

Heather Murray, McChord AFB WA

7/30/2010 11:37:26 AM ET
Have not I commanded thee: Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid. Neither be thou dismayed, for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 19

Linda Stephenson wife of a former Firebird Commander, Little Rock AFB AR

7/30/2010 10:44:11 AM ET
My thoughts and prayers for the family and people who knew and worked with the crew. Rest in peace.

Woiton, Luke AFB. AZ

7/30/2010 10:40:00 AM ET
I pray before each of these Airmen could feel any pain that God gathered each one home again.

Helen Brewer SSgt, Port Hueneme CA

7/30/2010 9:50:50 AM ET
My thoughts and prayes go out to their family and friends. May they rest in peace knowing we are SO thankful for their service and dedication to our wonderful Air Force and country. Watch over us from above

Lt, Wright Patterson

7/30/2010 9:43:33 AM ET
Condolences and prayers to the families and fellow crewmembers of these Firebirds. As a former Firebird, I grieve with you. To the crew: CLEAR SKIES, MY FRIENDS You will not be forgotten!

TSgt Chris Patton, Cheyenne WY WY ANG

7/30/2010 9:14:44 AM ET
My prayers and sympathies go out to the family and friends of these great Airmen. God bless you all.

TSgt Rebecca Felix, MSP IAP ARS

7/30/2010 9:04:03 AM ET
Prayers for strength for all in this hard, unofortunate and sad day. God bless.

John Hudson, Hawaii

7/30/2010 8:14:35 AM ET
My condolences to the family for such a great loss. I pray that as each day passes the family and friends recieve strength and comfort.

shirley willis, Vance AFB Enid Ok

7/30/2010 7:41:56 AM ET
As a retired crew chief, I know first hand what's going through everyone's mind. I lost my aircraft in Van Horne, Texas. The loss of life in these accidents seems unjustifiable but the lives saved because of the continous training does help soften the pain of the AF Family. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen airmen and to everyone associated with this aircraft. Fred Grooms, MSGT retired

Fred Grooms, Presque Isle ME

7/30/2010 7:04:50 AM ET
My thoughts and prayers go out my fellow lifters. God Bless you and your families.

MSgt Rodney Meyer USAFR Retired Loadmaster, 756 ARS Andrews AFB MD

7/30/2010 6:49:39 AM ET
Prayers and thoughts go with the families. Stand Tall USAF.

Groom, Elmendorf AFB currently at ISA AB DEPLOYED

7/30/2010 6:28:17 AM ET
We live in fame or go down in flame...hey! Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force! Fly Free.....at ease

AFVET, NSN Va

7/30/2010 5:52:42 AM ET
My deepest condolences and prayers for the families that lost their airmen.

Jason Balcita SSgt, Bagram Afghanistan

7/30/2010 2:26:45 AM ET
Thought and prayers to my fellow Airmen and their families. God Bless

MSgt, Bagram Afghanistan

7/30/2010 1:22:26 AM ET
Rest in peace, my deepest condolences to these families, makes me really sad because they died doing what they loved, flying freely. Now fly higher than anyone...

Daniel Perez, MEX

7/30/2010 12:57:54 AM ET
Thoughts and prayers go to the Airmen's families and friends. I am proud to maintain the C-17 and I am saddened by this loss of crew and one of the finest aircraft the Air Force has today.

T. Peacock, Warner Robins GA

7/29/2010 11:50:09 PM ET
A sad day indeed for the Air Force and C-17 community.

TSgt Bell, Charleston AFB SC

7/29/2010 11:41:04 PM ET
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and fellow AF members of the lost Airmen.

MSgt Donald Cook, Bagram Afghanistan

7/29/2010 11:20:07 PM ET
We are so sorry for the loss to our AF Family and the National Guard's Family. This is such a tragic accident and we felt it here and everyone of us is praying for you all

Gabriel Dawn, Dover AFB

7/29/2010 10:58:33 PM ET
Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of earth . . . Put out my hand and touched the face of God. May each of you go home now in peace. Your earthly mission is now complete.God Bless

VWolski, Retired Msgt UT

7/29/2010 10:13:46 PM ET
My thoughts and prayers are with these four airmen and their families for the ultimate sacrafice they have given. We are a free nation because of your efforts and you shall always be remembered. I salute you.

Brian Beebe , Sacramento California

7/29/2010 9:56:08 PM ET
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of my fellow Airmen RIP.

Wally Davis SMSgt, Little Rock AR

7/29/2010 9:55:34 PM ET
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of all those involved.

TSgt Tom Anderson, Kunsan AB Korea

7/29/2010 9:10:38 PM ET
My prayers are with the Air Force community and the C-17 Crew...such fine personnel were lost. Henry Adams Master Sergeant Retired

henry adams, las vegas Nev

7/29/2010 9:08:08 PM ET
My heart goes out to the families and friends of these lost Airmen.

Wanda, Owasso Ok.

7/29/2010 9:07:47 PM ET
We will be lifting up these families to the Lord Jesus. We pray for comfort and strength beyond measure.

Alex and Linda Davis, Gloucester NC

7/29/2010 9:06:06 PM ET
So sad to hear of this tragic accident, our family knows first hand about the dedication of these airman. Our son served 23 years as a C-141 loadmaster. We thank god he made it to retirement. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these brave and dedicated airman. They now fly with Angels. God Bless.

Gordon Potter Tsgt Ret, Roanoke Virginia

7/29/2010 8:37:26 PM ET
As a retired Air Force member it saddens me to hear of the loss of any of our military comrades and my prayers and heart goes out to the families of those lost in this accident. God bless them and help them in this time of need. We all need help in these times. Bless those that we lost and we thank them for their final gift in our effort to make this world safer. Let's all keep trying so that the lost lives were not in vain. D. Hamby

David W Hamby, Athens Alabama

7/29/2010 8:00:25 PM ET
My heart reaches out to the families of the deceased. God bless.

Anna, Moody AFB

7/29/2010 7:44:34 PM ET
As a current Texas Air National Guard member and a prior Elmendorf AFB Airman this tragic news finds its mark right through my heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of our fellow Airmen lost.

Bryan Davis, Grand Prairie TX

7/29/2010 7:14:03 PM ET
My deepest sympathy to family and friends of our fallen defenders. God Bless you all. Thank you for your sacrifices.

June, Columbus OH

7/29/2010 6:35:16 PM ET
To those families of lost servicemen and women our prayers go out to you. And also to the base of Elemendorf may our prayers reach your souls in guidance

James Murphy A1C, Holloman AFB

7/29/2010 6:11:55 PM ET
My families deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to the familes, teammates and squadron. We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of the four Airmen lost in the crash. I thank them deeply for their dedication and service to our country. I appreciate their ultimate sacrafice to allow my family to live in this great nation. They will be missed deeply. We send huge hugs of care to the families.

Songbird Cline, CA

7/29/2010 6:08:30 PM ET
My deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with all the families. Their commitment and ultimate sacrifice for our great country is not forgotten is not in vain.

Tom Green AFA member, Portland Or

7/29/2010 6:04:54 PM ET
My prayers go out to the loved ones of these airmen we called our wingmen. Hoping that this overcast cloud of grief doesn't last forever but the joy from which they brought you would be your sunshine from day to day.

SSgt Jason Morris , Mcguire Afb

7/29/2010 5:42:10 PM ET
My sincere condolances to the crew's families and indeed the entire Air Force family. You are always in our prayers.

Jeff Williams, Fayetteville AR

7/29/2010 5:40:45 PM ET
Just in June I caught a ride from Elmendorf back to Jax Florida on one of their C-17's. We had an ANG crew fly us back, with Captain Allison Snow as one of the pilots. The entire crew was the greatest. I have not heard if it was them but my heart and my prayers go out to the crew who lost their lives and to their families and friends. I am very sorry for your loss. Rest in Peace, Airmen.

MSgt Shawn Watchorn, Jacksonville Florida

7/29/2010 5:36:17 PM ET
Rest in peace to the entire flight crew. Our thoughts and prayers to family at this time.

Jean-Harold Astree, Robins AFB GA

7/29/2010 5:25:22 PM ET
Our company is under contract to the Air Force and as a member of the paving crew I witnessed the loss of this aircraft and its crew. We have many times this summer watched in amazement as the C-17 crew accomplished maneuvers few would think possible in plane this size. I am so sorry for the loss suffered by the families of these fine men. I am so sorry for the loss suffered by the close-knit community of C-17 crew members and support staff. My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

Phil Haley, Anchorage AK

7/29/2010 5:22:40 PM ET
This news changes everything about today. It touches us all. May God continue to bless their families and may they know how much we honor the lives of those lost from our Air Force family.

Debi Smith, Sheppard AFB Texas

7/29/2010 4:48:38 PM ET
My heartfelt sorrow to the families of those who lost their lives at Elmendorf. We lost 2 of ours last July in a crash in Afghanistan. God bless our military.

Will Plount, Seymour Johnson AFB

7/29/2010 4:36:54 PM ET
Our prayers are with the friends family and the base. God bless the souls of the lost fellow Airmen.

Kate Jones, 19th LRS Little Rock AFB

7/29/2010 4:17:11 PM ET
This tragic incident demonstrates that even during times of what was expected to be an exciting and festive event, things can occur that result in an unfortunate tragic loss. These fine professionals were not at war, not engaged with any enemy, but rather engaged in what some would call a routine training mission to demonstrate for the public the superior capabilities of a unique airframe and her crew. As we sadly know, in a split second they were faced with making the ultimate sacrifice. Although I did not personally know the crew they were and will be considered part of my family; a family consisting of every military member and their dependents. Today we should not hang our heads and dwell on the fallen crew members, but raise our heads and remember what each of them selflessly contributed to not only to the Air Force but to life overall.

KF, VA

7/29/2010 4:17:06 PM ET
I am so very sorry to hear of the tragic loss of life of the crew members in the C-17 accident. As a former aerial porter myself I am well aware of the total dedication and professionalism of these aircrews. May God bless them and keep them and my deep condolences go to their families comrades and friends.

John Lustrea, Garland Nebraska USA

7/29/2010 4:16:12 PM ET
My thoughts and prayers goes out to those 4 Airmen and their families.

Grace Tribiana Phillips, Chandler AZ

7/29/2010 4:05:00 PM ET
My deepest sympathy thoughts and prayers are with all the families friends and co-workers of the crew. Their service commitment and ultimate sacrifice for our great country is not forgotten is not in vain and is somberly appreciated with humbleness.

SSgt James McIntosh, 325 FWCP Tyndall AFB FL

7/29/2010 4:03:54 PM ET
My deepest sympathy thoughts and prayers are with all the families, friends and co-workers of the crew. Their service commitment and ultimate sacrifice for our great country is not forgotten, is not in vain and is somberly appreciated with humbleness.

SSgt James McIntosh, 325 FWCP Tyndall AFB FL

7/29/2010 4:01:13 PM ET
This has indeed been a terrible tragedy. May they rest in peace and my deepest condolences to their friends and families.

Robert Bilbao, DCMA

7/29/2010 3:52:44 PM ET
My sympathy goes out to those affected by the loss of our fellow airmen.

SrA Larman Jacob W, Osan ROK

7/29/2010 3:50:08 PM ET
From all of us at the 8th AS and the deployed 816 EAS our thoughts and prayers will be with the families and airmen and we thank you for your honorable service. Rest In Peace and God Bless.

Joshua Faust Sra 8th AS, McChord afb

7/29/2010 3:43:51 PM ET
My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends, God bless

kerrinckx b, belguim air force

7/29/2010 3:43:44 PM ET
I am so sorry to hear this tragedy. God bless the loved ones and friends of these Airmen. My sincerest sympathies go out to all that new them. May God rest their soul.

Vicki, Lackland AFB TX

7/29/2010 3:39:01 PM ET
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the crew and the men and women of the Elmendorf military community.

TSgt Chris Thompson, Spangdahlem AB Germany

7/29/2010 3:38:37 PM ET
Rest in Peace to these aviators may their families and wingmen find comfort. God Bless the Brave men and women of our Air Force

P.W. Covington, YoakumTX

7/29/2010 3:30:23 PM ET
My condolences to the family..

Angela Mcneill, south carolina

7/29/2010 3:29:48 PM ET
Our hearts and prayers are with the families-I reached out my hand and touched the face of God

Msgt USAF ret., Charleston Ar.

7/29/2010 3:09:23 PM ET
I would just like to say to the family's how sorry I am for your loss.

SSgt M Webb, RAF Mildenhall

7/29/2010 3:06:47 PM ET
I was deeply saddened by the news of the C-17 crash and the loss of 4 airmen. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

Maj Dennis Reedy USAF Ret, Knoxville TN

7/29/2010 3:05:42 PM ET
Terrible loss. My condolences to the families and friends of the Airmen lost.

D Daro TSGT USAF, Austin Tx

7/29/2010 3:05:38 PM ET
Here's a toast... Family friends and the community are in my prayers.

Capt Lauren Kootsikas, Laughlin AFB

7/29/2010 3:01:38 PM ET
My heart goes out to the friends and family of the Airmen killed in this crash. It is a tragic loss for the entire Air Force family.

Ashley Murphy, Vance AFB OK

7/29/2010 2:41:36 PM ET
My deepest condolences to the families of the 4 airmen lost today. An unbelieveable tragedy.

Chuck Pilcher MSgt, Mtn Home AFB ID

7/29/2010 2:38:04 PM ET
Really sad news today - thoughts go out to the Elmendorf community, family and friends of these fallen Airmen.

SSgt John Hughel, Portland ANGB

7/29/2010 2:28:43 PM ET
Thoughts and prayers with victims and their families....

Terry Wakelee, Tinker AFB

7/29/2010 2:24:57 PM ET
My prayers go out to the Airman who were lost doing what they were trained to do. May God be with the families now in their time of loss.

Kevin Prielipp, Honolulu Hawaii

7/29/2010 2:22:23 PM ET
God bless to the family members and co workers

CRAIG A. COOK, MSGT USAF RET HEWITT TX

7/29/2010 2:10:32 PM ET
My condolences to the Air Force community, family and friend of the Airmen lost.

Anderal Ward, Altus AFB

7/29/2010 2:07:45 PM ET
The men and women at Eareckson Air Station in Shemya, Alaska, have close working relationship with the wonderful people at JB Elmendorf-Richardson. We would like to send our heart-felt condolences and prayers to the families friends and loved-ones of the servicemembers that were lost in the C-17 crash. For the four that gave your lives in service to our country we will never forget your sacrifices to keep us free. God bless the United States of America.

Carl R. Sagert, Eareckson AS Shemya Alaska

7/29/2010 1:53:50 PM ET
Prayers of love and support to these Airmen's families and friends. They still have their wings but now they're angel wings. Mom to an Eielson AFB Airman.

jocelyn, Seattle

7/29/2010 1:50:10 PM ET
My thoughts and prayers go to all of the family and friends of the four Elmendorf crew members. My thoughts and prayers are also with the great folks in Base Ops and the Control Tower. This will be a very difficult time for you too. Please stay strong and know there are a lot of people thinking of you the family and the friends

Janet Freniere MSgt USAF Retired, Connecticut

7/29/2010 1:42:54 PM ET
Prayers and sympathy to the families of our fallen

Jim, Grissom ARB

7/29/2010 1:23:21 PM ET
My prayers go out to the family and friends. God Bless

SrA Robles , March ARB

7/29/2010 1:00:01 PM ET
My condolences to the men and women of the Air Force and especially to the surviving friends and family of the Air Force and Alaska Air National Guard. I believe everyone from civilians like myself all the way up to President Obama are proud of the men and women serving their country in the armed forces and are heart broken over the loss of these four great Americans.

Michael Haase, Anchorage Alaska

7/29/2010 12:53:45 PM ET
Our hearts go out to the families and friends of these fine men who served to protect us.

D. Coppola C17 Pilot's Mom, Londonderry NH

7/29/2010 12:34:13 PM ET
My heart goes out to all the families. I am so sorry about their loss. You are in my heart and prayers. A thank you to those who serve our country and to the spouses who support them.

Sandra, EAFB

7/29/2010 12:16:06 PM ET
Rest in peace, brothers and sisters.

James Ward, McChord AFB WA

7/29/2010 11:31:45 AM ET
My thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends. RIP Airmen

Steven Lauzon 1st Lt. CAP, Springfield ma

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