An airman was killed and five others were injured in a June 29 vehicle accident at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, according to the 341st Missile Wing.
Staff Sergeant Jorge Delgado, 37, was assigned to the 341st Security Forces Squadron at Malmstrom at the time of his death. He and three other airmen were traveling on base in an up-armored Humvee when the accident occurred. Two first responders dispatched to the crash were also hurt while at the scene.
“Team Malmstrom and our surrounding community grieve not only the loss of an outstanding Airman, but a family member and a friend,” Col. Dan Voorhies, 341st Missile Wing commander, said in a statement. “As we help our impacted Airmen and families, I urge us all to spend a little extra time checking in on one another, wrap our arms around those in need, and provide love and support, so we can keep enduring. Wing One is committed to the safety and security of our members, and we will continue to stand strong during this time.”
Of the five airmen who were injured, two are currently being treated at a local medical facility and are listed in stable condition; the other three have been discharged.
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“The cause of the accident is currently under investigation and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of our personnel and prevent future incidents,” a news release from the wing says “The safety and wellbeing of all of our Airmen is our priority and we are providing support and assistance to those impacted by this tragic event.”
No information about the cause of the crash or how the first responders were injured was immediately available.
As of June 5, a total of 19 other airmen have been killed in motor vehicle mishaps so far in Fiscal Year 2024, according to the Air Force Safety Center. By comparison, 37 airmen were killed in crashes last fiscal year, and 22 died in Fiscal Year 2022.
“Each of our Airmen are amazing and are vital members of our team,” Voorhies said in a statement. “We will need time to grieve for our teammate that we lost and for our injured members to heal both physically and mentally. Our focus right now, is to make sure that all of Team Malmstrom have the support they need to make it through this difficult time.”
UPDATE: 07/01/2023; this story was updated after Air Force officials identified the airman killed in the crash as Staff Sergeant Jorge Delgado.
CORRECTION: 07/01/203; an earlier version of this story incorrectly reported there were two crashes. The two first responders were injured while on the scene.
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