US Air Force Pays Tribute to Lt Kenneth Allen

The US Air Force in the UK has paid tribute to Lt Kenneth Allen who lost his life on June 15 when the F-15 fighter jet he was flying during a routine training mission crashed into the North Sea just off the Yorkshire coast. The cause of the crash has not been announced.

Lt Allen, widely known as ‘Kage’, was assistant chief of weapons and tactics for the 493rd Fighter squadron. The USAF has honored his memory with a memorial of honor, featuring yellow ribbons and flowers representing his squadron and an F-15 jet at RAF Lakenheath has had his name emblazoned prominently on its side.

RAF Lakenheath also posted a video tribute in memory of Lt Allen, which you can see via Social Media including Twitter: @48FighterWing and Facebook @RAFLakenheath

Before attending military school, Lt Allen undertook a year-long missionary trip with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the roughest part of Santiago, the capital of Chile, "a place where the Carabineros [police] did not go", said a friend.

Lt Allen's body was repatriated to the USA last week on Thursday, with a 'Missing Man' formation flypast to honor his memory. The 48th Fighter Wing posted a message on Social Media, saying: “Today we sent Lt Kenneth Allen back to the US. The 493FS came out to pay him final respects and farewell on the ramp at RAF Mildenhall ... The support of the local community and authorities this week has been first rate and the efforts of HM Coast Guard during the recovery made this possible. However, most of all thanks to the Reapers who came out to send Kage home in the manner he deserves.”

Lt Allen is survived by his wife of just a few months, Hannah.

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