Pilot killed in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Bekah A. Clark
  • 12th Flying Training Wing
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  An Airman assigned to the 12th Flying Training Wing here was killed April 27 in Kabul, Afghanistan, when a shooter opened fire at the Kabul International Airport, killing eight U.S. service members and one contractor.

Maj. Jeff Ausborn, a 99th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, was deployed to the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, where he served as a C-27 Spartan instructor pilot.

The 19-year Air Force veteran and native of Gadsden, Ala., died of wounds sustained in the shooting. He was 41.

"The loss of Jeff is devastating not only to the squadron, but the wing as well. He has served our wing and his nation honorably," said Col. Richard Murphy, the 12th FTW commander. "Our hearts and prayers go out to Jeff's family and to the families of those affected by this terrible act."

According to his wife, Suzanna Ausborn, Major Ausborn volunteered in 2010 to deploy to Afghanistan to teach new Afghan pilots to fly the C-27. He was in a meeting when the attack occurred.

"He was the most compassionate, kind, patient and understanding husband, father, pilot and supervisor," she said. "He was a great communicator; we talked nearly every day. That's how I knew something was wrong; I didn't hear from him. I miss him so much."

Major Ausborn is survived by his wife and five children.