Air Force identifies 2 airmen killed during training crash at Oklahoma base
The Air Force identified two airmen killed while performing a training mission at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma this week.
Lt. Col. John "Matt" Kincade, an instructor pilot, and 2nd Lt. Travis B. Wilkie, a student pilot, were killed when two Air Force T-38 Talons, which are training aircraft, were involved in an "incident" that occurred during landing at approximately 9:10 a.m. local time on Thursday.
Kincade, 47, was assigned to the 5th Flying Training Squadron and is survived by his wife and two sons. Wilkie, 23, was assigned to the 71st Student Squadron and is survived by his wife, parents and sister, Vance Air Force Base said in a statement on Friday.
“We are a close-knit family,” Col. Corey Simmons, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, said. “And when tragedies like this occur, every member of the U.S. military, Vance, Enid, feels it.”
There were two individuals aboard each aircraft, the Air Force said. Aerial footage obtained by ABC affiliate KOCO on Thursday showed one aircraft with hatches raised and the second overturned.
A safety investigation is underway, according to the Air Force.
ABC's Bonnie McLean contributed to this report.
