Colorado Air Force Officer Among 4 Killed In Crash

The Defense Department says an Air Force officer from Colorado Springs is among four people killed when a military plane crashed in Djibouti, Africa.

The military said Monday that 30-year-old Capt. Ryan P. Hall died Saturday when the U-28 crashed.

Hall was assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Hurlburt Field told KRDO Newschannel 13 that Hall was a pilot with more than 1,300 combat flight hours.

Hall was assisted by Nicholas S. Whitlocak of Newnan, Ga., who had more than 800 combat flight hours.

Air Force Academy graduate, 26-year-old 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens of Bend, Ore. and 26-year-old Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten of Upper Marlboro, Md. were also killed during the crash.

“The Hurlburt Field Community expresses our deepest condolences to the family of the crew, and we share in their sorrow. Our efforts are focused on helping them through this difficult time,” said Col. Jim Slife, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing. “We will never forget the valuable contributions these brave men made to their country and community.”

The Air Force says the plane was returning from an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission in support of Opeartion Enduring Freedom. Officials say initial indications are that hostile fire didn’t cause the crash.

U.S. AFRICOM said a safety board investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the incident.