New Hampshire airman identified as victim in Afghanistan crash
Capt. Ryan S. Phaneuf, 30, of Hudson, New Hampshire, was killed Monday when a U.S. Air Force surveillance plane crashed in Ghazni province.
A New Hampshire native was identified Wednesday by the Department of Defense as one of the two servicemen killed this week when an Air Force plane crashed in Afghanistan.Capt. Ryan S. Phaneuf, 30, of Hudson, New Hampshire, was assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and was onboard the surveillance aircraft when it crashed Monday in Ghazni province, the department said in a statement.The other airman killed in the crash of the Bombardier E-11A aircraft was identified as 46-year-old Lt. Col. Paul K. Voss, of Yigo, Guam, who was assigned to Headquarters Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.The cause of the plane crash remains under investigation, according to the Department of Defense.Phaneuf’s alma mater, Alvirne High School, mourned his death in a statement Wednesday.“It is with sadness that we announce the death of USAF Pilot, Ryan Phaneuf … Ryan was a graduate of the Class of 2007, and a Commander in our JROTC program,” the school wrote.While at the Hudson high school, Phaneuf dreamed of being a pilot, school officials wrote on Facebook.“We are so glad his hard work allowed him to achieve that goal,” they wrote.New Hampshire politicians mourned the Hudson native’s death as well.
My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family of Capt. Ryan S. Phaneuf of Hudson, NH. Capt. Phaneuf made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may continue to live freely. All of New Hampshire, and America, mourns the loss of this great hero. https://t.co/eWAdQnqxu6
— Chris Sununu (@GovChrisSununu) January 29, 2020
My heart is heavy to learn of the tragic loss of Captain Ryan Phaneuf of Hudson, NH in Afghanistan. My deepest condolences are with his family, friends & fellow Airmen. I join a grateful nation in honoring the life & service of this brave American who made the ultimate sacrifice. https://t.co/JsQKG2MhFX
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) January 29, 2020
I’m devastated to hear of the passing of Air Force Captain Ryan S. Phaneuf who died while bravely serving our country. My prayers are with his family and loved ones at this tragic time — his service to our country will never be forgotten. https://t.co/lPP6X2EbUg
— Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) January 29, 2020
Ellsworth Air Force Base called the 30-year-old’s death a “tragic loss to the Air Force and our Ellsworth family.”
https://www.facebook.com/EllsworthAirForceBase/posts/3124027254275672?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCOyFW4xYaFwfDIGK3EvFjiD0LoIsLzFUATHF-Ipo5rVY1PWOl2zkok1eiT-Oud2pHguKkxe5qiOEXiZIapzQ9oiEI7VR238qOrGx8jMllYwLHmASH7t7GHduM9GWvM47xL3PBe9BSSrardO_dqd3wxbHTYuXZnB2JgRIYrTSKMSvYcOFGu8rAyFID1HJhIEfrCEhbDkC85yaQjkSAfPJxftqMWfRyC-FD5Aq8-Wzh97h06sTNNbg-khZ2dnQtWE88sDyjN7UBWRmUlt24juLFL7JSVCTPvRKqp1BmpZwDdauIQfHgv9TqK2tTJscvpX5ENDL4MseiDXDP6D9I-_g&__tn__=-R
Phaneuf’s death is the second tragedy in the last week to impact the Hudson community. On Jan. 23, Massachusetts-born Katherine Thyne, 24, who graduated from Alvirne High School, too, died in the line of duty during a traffic stop while serving with the Newport News Police Department in Virginia.
Incredibly difficult week for Hudson/@AlvirneBroncos community. 1/23, Ofc. Katie Thyne ‘13 died in the line of duty in VA. Monday, USAF Capt. Ryan Phaneuf ‘07 was killed in a plane crash in Afghanistan. Both were members of the school’s JROTC program #RIP #WMUR pic.twitter.com/ZhFCdmE25W
— Siobhan Lopez (@SiobhanLopez_) January 30, 2020
“Katie’s warm heart, never ending compassion, and contagious smile inspired everyone around her,” her loved ones wrote in her obituary. “She had a quick wit and a great sense of fun and adventure. Her life, while much too short, was a life of service, a life of passion for her community, and most of all, a life of love for family and friends — especially the light of her life, Raegan.”
A celebration of the 24-year-old’s life is planned Friday in Lowell, and Alvirne High School is holding a candlelight vigil for her Thursday evening.
“The entire Hudson community is saddened by the loss of these two patriots and our thoughts and prayers will be with their families during this difficult time,” Hudson town selectmen said in a statement to the New Hampshire Union Leader.
https://www.facebook.com/NewportNewsPoliceDept/photos/a.226113347403771/3234085236606552/
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com