Used with permission from the Allen Family.
LONDON — The Air Force has confirmed that the Utah fighter pilot killed in a crash off the coast of northern England is 1st Lt. Kenneth “Kage” Allen.
Allen, 27, who was from northern Utah died in a routine training accident that took place at 9:40 a.m. Monday. The cause of the F-15C Eagle crash is under investigation.
Col. Will Marshall, commander of the 48th Fighter Wing at the Royal Air Force’s Lakenheath base says that Allen had been stationed with them only since February.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lt. Allen, and mourn with his family and his fellow Reapers in the 493rd Fighter Squadron,” Marshall said in a video statement on Tuesday. “The tremendous outpouring of love and support from our communities has been a ray of light in this time of darkness.’’
According to the BBC Allen’s jet crashed 84 miles off the East Yorkshire coast. They say that the British Coastguard, as well as lifeboat crews from nearby towns, were among those who took part in the search after the plane was reported missing around 9:30 local time yesterday morning.
The crash is still under investigation.
Allen’s wife Hannah says she is shattered by the news.
” I never knew a heart could shatter like this. But I’ve promised you today that the rest of my life will be a tribute to you. A tribute to the Christlike way you lived and loved. Kage please forgive me as I lean on your faith for awhile. I know you’ll find a way to stay close,” she writes on Facebook.
The military publication Stars and Stripes says that before attending the Air Force Academy Allen served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile where their motto was “Hacia las Alturas,” or “to the heights.” A fitting motto his mission president David Cook remembers.
Follow the Flag organization also posted their condolences saying Allen will receive a true hero’s welcome upon his return to the United States.