4/28/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Department of Defense confirmed today that a pilot stationed here was among four crewmembers on board an MC-12 who were killed April 27 when their aircraft crashed in the Zabul province in southern Afghanistan.
Capt. Brandon Cyr, 28, a KC-135 instructor pilot, was a member of the 906th Air Refueling Squadron within the 375th Air Mobility Wing, its parent unit for administrative purposes. However, he flew alongside members of the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing as part of the Air Force's Total Force Integration efforts, and as a result, the loss is deeply felt by members in both wings here, said Col. David Almand, 375th AMW commander.
Cyr was assigned here in 2009--part of an initial team of pilots who help to stand up the 906th ARS for the TFI effort, and most recently served as an executive officer for the 126th ARW commander, Col. Peter Nezamis. At the time of his death, he had earned more than 1,700 flying hours--900 of those in combat.
Almand added, "He was an outstanding pilot and a dedicated Airman. Our hearts are heavy, and we're doing all that we can to provide support and comfort to members of his family during this difficult time. Our hearts also go out to families of the other Airmen who lost their lives as well."
The other Airmen killed were all from Beale AFB, Calif., and are Capt. Reid Nishizuka, and Staff Sgts. Richard Dickson and Daniel Fannin. They all had been deployed in support of NATO missions in the area, and initial reporting indicated there was no enemy activity in the area at the time. NATO has confirmed that coalition personnel have secured the site.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Additional details surrounding funeral/memorial arrangements for Cyr will be released later in the week.
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