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"Our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of those Airmen killed in this crash. Yesterday, we lost four members of our Arctic Warrior family and it's a loss felt across our entire joint installation," said Col. John McMullen, 3rd Wing Commander. "Right now, our immediate focus is on providing all possible support to the loved ones of our fallen aviators. We are also engaged in a deliberate investigative process."
McMullen confirmed Thursday morning that three of the four men were Alaska Air National Guard and the fourth was on active duty at Elmendorf. The names of the Airmen killed in the crash will not be released until next of kin have been notified.
Senior officials say the crash happened near runway 6 in the northeast quadrant of Elmendorf at 6:14 p.m.
Right before the crash, witnesses say they saw the aircraft flying low over the hillside, followed by a giant plume of smoke coming from the base.
During an impromptu press conference at the Boniface gate around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins confirmed that the C-17 was a part of a demonstration practice for the 2010 Arctic Thunder air show this weekend. The even will continue as previously scheduled this Saturday and Sunday. The event is free and open to the public; gates will open at 9 a.m. and festivities are set to end at 5 p.m. each day.
Atkins had landed on Elmendorf just 20 minutes prior to the news conference from Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks.
A stress management team was dispatched to the base to help anyone who may have suffered trauma as a result of the crash.
There is still no word on what caused the aircraft to go down.
For more information on the C-17 Globemaster III click here.
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