close
close

Malmstrom announces name of pilot killed in Humvee rollover

Malmstrom Air Force Base officials released the name of the pilot who was killed when a Humvee rolled over on June 29.

US Air Force Staff Sgt. Jorge Delgado, 38, was killed in the incident.

He was assigned to the 341st Security Forces Squadron in Malmström.

According to Malmstrom officials, three other pilots were injured in the rollover and two first responders were injured while responding to the incident.

Two of the injured soldiers are in stable condition at a local medical facility and three have been discharged, according to Malmstrom.

One Malmstrom pilot killed in car crash, five injured

According to Malmstrom, the four pilots were on their way to their deployment location at the base in the Humvee at the time of the incident.

“Team Malmstrom and our surrounding community are mourning the loss of not only an outstanding pilot, but also a family member and friend. As we assist our impacted pilots and families, I urge all of us to spend a little extra time checking in on one another, giving hugs to those in need, and providing love and support so we can continue to persevere. Wing One is committed to the safety and protection of our members and we will continue to stand strong during this time,” said Col. Dan Voorhies, 341st Missile Wing commander, in a press release.

The investigation is ongoing.

Malmstrom pilot killed, another injured in Humvee crash (2023)

Another Malmstrom pilot was killed and another was injured in a Humvee accident on October 21.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, 19-year-old Airman Alton S. John of the 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron died on October 28 from injuries sustained in the crash.

According to Malmstrom, both pilots who were involved in the Humvee crash were taken to the hospital.

According to the Air Force, a member of the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron at FE Warren AFB in Wyoming was killed in a Humvee accident in Colorado in September 2023.

A second pilot involved was not seriously injured in the incident, according to news reports from Wyoming.

Local news reported that “immediately after the accident, the Air Force convened a preliminary safety commission to collect the facts of the incident. A safety investigation commission will be convened to determine the cause of the crash and recommend measures necessary to prevent future accidents.”

The Electric has requested additional information about the Oct. 21 accident, data on the Malmstrom Humvee accident, Humvee pilot training, and asked if safety measures were taken following the September Humvee accident in Colorado.

The Air Force never responded to The Electric’s questions.

In 2015, a Malmstrom pilot was charged by the MHP with reckless driving after a Humvee rolled over on Highway 287 near Augusta, according to local news reports.

The Humvee, with two pilots on board, went off the road and the driver over-steered, causing the vehicle to roll over.

The pilots reported minor injuries in the rollover.

In both rollover incidents in 2023, the Air Force established interim safety committees to gather information and a safety board of inquiry was convened to examine the cause of the crashes.

The recommendations were not made public but were implemented, Air Force officials told Military.com.

According to Military.com, the U.S. 20th Air Force announced changes in the operational use of Humvees in December.

“Last month, the 20th Air Force commander ordered a change in the way armored Humvees are used in operations,” Col. Brus Vidal, a spokesman for Air Force Global Strike Command, told Military.com. “Although their mission profile has been changed, UA HMMWVs will continue to be used on missions when needed.”

Military.com reported earlier this year that the AFGSC had not provided specific details on how Humvee use could be adapted for training or operations, but Vidal said the Humvees could still be used operationally if needed.