An airman was killed while working on an F-22 Raptor fighter jet at a military base in Alaska.
Staff Sergeant Charles Crumlett died around noon Friday following a workplace accident at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The 25-year-old man, from Streamwood, Illinois, was employed as a weapons loading team leader and was pronounced dead at the scene following the incident. Air Force Times reported.
It is not clear how he died or what he was doing at the time of the accident.
“Today, Dicemen mourn the loss of one of our own,” Lt. Col. Charles Bayne said in a statement. “Sergeant. Crumlett’s drive and willingness to help his fellow maintenance staff is a loss to the entire maintenance community.
Staff Sergeant Charles Crumlett was killed while working on an F-22 Raptor fighter jet at a military base in Alaska.
The airman died around noon Friday following a work accident at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The 25-year-old man, from Streamwood, Illinois, worked as a weapons loading team leader and was pronounced dead at the scene after the incident, according to the AirForce Times. Pictured: File image of the F-22 Raptor
Details surrounding Crumlett’s death are unclear at this time and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations is investigating the incident.
Crumlett, who was assigned to the 90th Fighter Generation Squadron, worked on the F-15 Strike Eagles and the A-10 Thunderbolt II before his death.
Lt. Col. Bayne, 90th FGS commander, said, “Even though he has only been with us a short time, Charlie will always be a Diceman.
“We send our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and the entire maintenance community.”
Col. Christopher Tooman, commander of the 3rd Maintenance Group, described Crumlett’s death as a tragedy.
“Charlie’s dedication and support of his fellow managers will be greatly missed,” he said.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all the Airmen whose lives Charlie touched.”
Col. Kevin Jamieson, 3rd Wing Commander, added, “Charlie had such a bright future in our Air Force.
“Even though he was new to JBER, it was immediately clear that Charlie had a passion for his duty and for service.
“Our sincere condolences go to his family, friends and fellow airmen. We will miss him very much.
On November 29, 2016, Crumlett was drafted into the Army and later graduated as a weapons loading crew member approximately two months later.
He was first stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina before arriving in Alaska on February 4.
His father, Mike Crumlett, said that was when he started working on the Raptors. The soldier came from a close-knit family and had four other siblings.
Crumlett, who was assigned to the 90th Fighter Generation Squadron, worked on the F-15 Strike Eagles and the A-10 Thunderbolt II before his death.
Crumlett wrestled in high school and loved reading books, including The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Crumlett hated doing his homework but still managed to finish first in his basic military training class, according to the AirForceTimes.
“He loved building things,” his father said. “He liked to fix things.”
He also wrestled in high school and loved reading books such as The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Mike added that his son filled countless notebooks with his own stories because he “always had a story in mind.”
“It’s a big loss. And it’s not only a great loss just because he’s my son, but there’s so much about him that I would have loved to see him be able to develop and experience.
“It’s again, a bit like reading a book and waiting for the next chapter to come out. There was a lot going on.
Crumlett is survived by his father, his mother Tami Crumlett, his brothers Collin, Joseph and Bob and a sister named Shannon.
A military base spokesperson said operations were suspended at the 3rd Wing following Crumlett’s death.
The 90th and 525th generations of fighters and fighter squadrons stood down in his honor.
“We are committed to ensuring our Airmen have time to grieve and keep them safe when we return to work later this week,” the spokesperson said.
DailyMail.com has contacted Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for comment.