A U.S. Air Force airman was killed in a single-vehicle accident during a non-combat incident outside Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on Saturday.
In an emailed statement to American Military News, the Department of Defense identified the deceased airman as 26-year-old Senior Airman Jason Khai Phan. Two other airmen were also involved in the crash but were transported to a hospital at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, with non-life-threatening injuries.
Phan, an Anaheim, Calif. native, had served in the Air Force since October 2018 and was assigned to 66th Security Forces Squadron, based out of Hanscom Air Force Base near Bedford, Mass.
He deployed with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing’s 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron to Kuwait in July.
According to 66th Security Forces Squadron Commander Maj. Shane Watts, Phan conducted preliminary criminal investigations, rendered emergency first aid and oversaw all integrated defense, policing, investigations, military working dog support and access control of the base when he was stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base. Phan was recently approved to become a military working dog handler and was scheduled to attend military working dog handler training at Joint Base Lackland in Texas after returning from Kuwait.
“Senior Airman Jason Phan was an exceptionally noble servant to the nation and his fellow Airmen,” Watts said. “His tireless commitment to master his craft made him a credible and reliable teammate in critical situations. But it was his genuine enthusiasm and selfless devotion to others that defined the depth of his character and inspiration to his peers and leaders. Jason lived with passion and shared compassion with purpose to everyone. He will be sorely missed by the Defenders here, and I’m extremely grateful for and humbled by his service. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.”
Phan’s remains will be flown back to the U.S. via Dover AFB, Del, at a yet-to-be-determined date.
