Three Fairchild Airmen perish in KC-135 crash

  • Published
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.