2 Hanscom Airmen Killed in Plane Crash

Two airmen from Hanscom Air Force base were killed in a plane crash in Afghanistan Thursday.

Their names were not immediately released. The Air Force said the crash was not the result of hostile fire.

The airmen were aboard a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft that crashed shortly after takeoff at Jalalabad Airfield. Nine others aboard the plane were killed—as were a number of people on the ground.

“This is a devastating day for our Air Force and for Hanscom Air Force Base,” said Col. Michael A. Vogel, base commander at Hanscom, in a statement. “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we grieve with and for the families of these brave Airmen.”

He said the Hanscom airmen were members of the 66th Security Forces Squadron and were deployed to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in Afghanistan. Members of the 66th assist with security operations around the world, Vogel said.