C2C Nick Duran, 20 Killed in single engine plane crash, Lt. Col. James C. Willis, 55, died in Kuwait in non combat incident
24 June. From the Supt, Lt. Gen. Clark: “On June 24, we lost one of our own. C2C Nick Duran died as a result of a single-engine plane crash while he was home in Texas on leave. The impact of losing Nick has been felt throughout our Academy.”
Cadet Second Class Nick Duran, 20, died in a single-engine aircraft crash in Cleburne, Texas, the Academy announced. A second person on board was killed along with Duran, who was home on leave. The aircraft was an American Aviation AA-1A single-engine aircraft. It crashed near Cleburne airport south of the Dallas-Fort Worth.p, Airforce Mag reported.
“He was our brother — a friend, teammate, and classmate — and will always be a part of USAFA. I am so proud of how our cadets have leaned on each other and honored Nick’s life. “While words cannot lessen the loss felt by his family, we want to send our heartfelt condolences to Nick’s family and friends — you are in our thoughts and prayers.”
USAFA Family. Our hearts are heavy following the death of a cadet on leave outside the local area. Out of respect to the individual’s family, we will release additional information when appropriate.
27 June .The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Lt. Col. James C. Willis, 55, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died June 26 in a non-combat related incident at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The incident is under investigation.
He was assigned as Commander of the 210th Red Horse Squadron, New Mexico Air National Guard, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
s, 55, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died June 26 in a non-combat related incident at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The incident is under investigation.
He was assigned as Commander of the 210th Red Horse Squadron, New Mexico Air National Guard, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Willis commanded the New Mexico Air National Guard’s 210th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers out of Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The unit deployed for missions in Southwest Asia on April 16, according to a 150th Special Operations Wing news release at the time, Airforce Times reported.
“The RED HORSE and engineer communities here are mourning the loss of one of our own,” said Col. Clifford Theony, 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group commander. “We have put every resource available to supporting James’ friends, family and the unit as a whole during this most difficult time. He was a valued member of our team, and will be deeply missed.”