News>Three Fairchild Airmen perish in KC-135 crash
Photos
Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey III, 30, from Bakersfield, California, sits in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker engine. Mackey died May 3, 2013 when his aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (Courtesy photo)
Capt. Victoria A. "Tori" Pinckney, 27, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, shown pictured here with her now 7-month-old son Gabriel, died May 3, 2013 when her aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Bichkek, Kyrgyzstan. (Courtesy photo)
Captain Mark T. "Tyler" Voss, 27, from Boerne, Texas, shown here in an Air Force Academy photo, died May 3, 2013 when his aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (Courtesy photo)
5/6/2013 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wa. (AFNS) -- Three Airmen from the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron tragically perished Friday, May 3, near Chon-Aryk, Kyrgyzstan, in the crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker.
The crew and aircraft were assigned to the Transit Center at Manas near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The deceased are:
Capt. Mark T. Voss, 27, hometown of Boerne, Texas
Capt. Victoria A. Pinckney, 27, hometown of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Tech. Sgt. Herman Mackey III, 30, hometown of Bakersfield, Calif.
"We're a strong family here and it's truly heart wrenching when members of this family make the ultimate sacrifice for their nation," said Col. Brian Newberry, the 92rd Air Refueling Wing Commander. "We will forever honor Tyler, Tori and Tre as patriots and heroes. Team Fairchild will do everything we can to support their families and friends during this profoundly difficult time. These Airmen leave behind an incredible legacy of service and honor in protecting our nation and the world. They show what we all know, freedom is not free."
The 93rd ARS is part of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Details of a memorial service are pending and will be released when they become available.
Comments
5/9/2013 8:47:20 AM ET I was stationed at Fairchild for 2 and a half years. Awesome wing and mission. We lost 3 valuable members to the mission. My prayers go out the families of these airmen.
SrA Shelton, HF FL
5/8/2013 7:27:19 PM ET As a prior aircrew member this really hits home. Stay strong friends and family of these poor fallen souls. You are not alone.
J Warren, Biloxi MS
5/8/2013 8:37:18 AM ET My deepest sympathy goes out to the families of these heroes...especially Tre Mackey and his family with whom I had the pleasure of serving as his First Sergeant...God Bless
MSgt Elaine Lewis, Quantico MCB VA
5/6/2013 9:47:20 PM ET RIP. Three of the greatest U.S. Air Force members. Thank GOD for you and your family. Our prayers are with all of the great members of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. GOD BLESS you all.
Ned Petrak, Goldsboro NC
5/6/2013 7:02:25 PM ET Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the lost airman and to the 93rd ARW. Thank You for all that you do.
Robert Johnson, Robins AFB
5/6/2013 6:57:20 PM ET I retired from Fairchild in 1987 just months after a tanker crashed practicing for an air show. Citizens are unaware of the dangers our service members face carrying out their day to day duties. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these brave airmen.
Bob King, Pahrump NV.
5/6/2013 4:48:54 PM ET Times like these it's difficult to find the words that will adequately express feelings of grief for friends that we've lost too soon. My heart goes out to the families and friends of my fellow Airmen that were lost. God bless.
Fellow aviator, Germany
5/6/2013 6:02:44 AM ET RIP. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May God be with your families and fellow Airman in their hour of need.
