Airman succumbs to motorcycle accident

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  McConnell lost one of its own in a tragic motorcycle accident that occurred in Cowley County, Kan., April 3.

Tech. Sgt. Harold Young, 22nd Maintenance Squadron Aircraft Structural Maintenance craftsman, was gravely injured as a result of 45-mile per hour winds that forced his motorcycle off the north side of the road, ultimately landing in a ditch.

Staff Sgt. Jeremy Richardson, 22nd MXS Aircraft Structural Maintenance journeyman, and Master Sgt. Walter Hall, 22nd MXS production super , who were and were riding just behind him on their motorcycles, were also injured during the incident. They landed in the same ditch as Sergeant Young.

"The tragic event displayed that even though Airmen may take all the required protective measures, accidents can still happen," said Col. Kevin Lamberth, 22nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander. "As an Air Force family, when we lose one of our Airmen, it affects us all."

Sergeant Young had been stationed at McConnell since March 2009. Sergeant Young's absence has already been felt among his co-workers.

"He was always the first person through the door and the last person out the door," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Mosley, 22nd MXS Aircraft Structural Maintenance craftsman. "He had the patience to handle Airmen, and the brute force to get things done when they needed to be done."