Oswego native killed in plane crash in Afghanistan
By Erika Wurst ewurst@stmedianetwork.com April 29, 2013 3:04PM
Oswego native Brandon Cyr, an Air Force officer, was killed in a plane crash in Afghanistan over the weekend. | submitted
In their honor
The following troops from the Fox Valley have been killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan:
Army Spc. Christopher A. Patterson of Aurora, died Jan. 5, 2012 (in Afghanistan)
Army Pfc. Gunnar Hotchkin of Naperville, died June 16, 2010 (in Afghanistan)
Army Pfc. Matthew M. Martinek of Genoa and formerly of Bartlett, died Sept. 11, 2009 (from wounds suffered in Afghanistan)
Illinois Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kevin D. Grieco, of Bartlett , died Oct. 27, 2008 (in Afghanistan)
Marine Cpl. Anthony G. Mihalo of Naperville, died Aug. 14, 2008 (in Afghanistan)
Army Cpl. James Hale of Naperville, died Aug. 13, 2008
Marine Lance Cpl. Jesse De La Torre of Aurora, died April 16, 2007
Marine Lance Cpl. Edwardo Lopez of Aurora, died Oct. 19, 2006
Army Sgt. Bradley Beste of Naperville, died Aug. 4, 2006
Marine Lance Cpl. Adam Kaiser of Naperville, died Dec. 1, 2005
Army Spec. Jeffrey Williams of Warrenville, died Sept. 5, 2005
Marine Lance Cpl. Hector Ramos of Aurora, died Jan. 26, 2005
Marine Sgt. David Caruso of Naperville, died Nov. 9, 2004
Army Sgt. Jack Hennessy of Naperville, died Oct. 1, 2004
Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Pokorny of Naperville, died June 13, 2003
Marine 1st Lt. Timothy Ryan of North Aurora, died May 19, 2003
Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier of St. Charles, died March 29, 2003 (in Afghanistan)
A 28-year-old Air Force captain, who grew up in Oswego, was killed Saturday after his plane crashed in Afghanistan.
According to media reports, Capt. Brandon Cyr, currently of Virginia, died alongside three others in a crash that occurred in the Zabul province of southern Afghanistan. The U.S. Air Force said the men were on an MC-12 Liberty aircraft, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground forces.
Cyr was assigned to the Scott Airforce Base in St. Clair County, near Belleview, Ill., in 2009. According to a release issued by the base, Cyr had earned more than 1,700 flying hours at the time of his death, of which 900 of the hours were in combat.
“He was an outstanding pilot and a dedicated airman. Our hearts are heavy, and we are doing all that we can to provide support and comfort to members of his family during this difficult time,” 375th Air Mobility Wind Commander Col. David Almand said in a news release.
Cyr was a member of the 906th Air Refueling Squadran within the 375th Air Mobility Wing. He flew alongside members of the Illinois Air National Guard’s 126th Air Refueling Wing as part of the Air Force’s Total Force Integration efforts, according to the release.
The other airmen killed in the crash were all from Beale Air Force Base in California. They are Capt. Reid Nishizuka and Staff Sgts. Richard Dickson and Daniel Fannin.
A Scott Air Force Base release said the men had all been deployed in support of NATO missions in the area. Initial reports indicated there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Additional details surrounding funeral and memorial arrangements for Cyr will be released later in the week.
Cyr’s family could not be reached for comment.
