Two Seymour Johnson officers die in F-15E crash

  • Published
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Two Air Force officers were killed July 18 in the crash of an F-15E Strike Eagle. The aircraft, assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., was flying in support of coalition operations in eastern Afghanistan. The crash occurred at approximately 3:15 A.M. Kabul time.

Department of Defense officials announced the names of two Airmen who died supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in a nonhostile F-15E Strike Eagle crash near Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.

Killed were:
-- Capt. Thomas J. Gramith, 27, of Eagan, Minn. He was assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
-- Capt. Mark R. McDowell, 26, of Colorado Springs, Colo. He was assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron from Seymour Johnson AFB. 

The F-15E is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The aircraft uses two crewmembers, a pilot and a weapon systems officer. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones...and to the Airmen and the joint and coalition team members who called them friends and will miss their fellow warriors," said Lt. Gen. Gary North, U.S. Air Forces Central commander.

A team of U.S. and coalition forces immediately responded to the crash site, secured it and recovered the Airmen.

The Airmen will be returned to their families through a dignified transfer from Afghanistan to the United States. 

A board of officers will be convened to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident. Additional details will be provided as information becomes available.