WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News LeaderUPDATE: Four Hurlburt Airmen Killed in Plane Crash in Africa

Update By Jason Hackett, News 13 Reporter:

Hurlburt Field is mourning the loss of a few of their own, after a U-28A Aircraft crashes near Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. Tonight, their commander is responding to the loss

The aircraft was returning from a support mission on Operation Enduring Freedom Saturday when it went down, taking four young lives with it.

Those 4 men: Captain Ryan P. Hall on his 7th deployment, Captain Nicholas Whitlock on his 5th deployment, 1st lieutenant Justin Wilkens on his 3rd deployment, and Senior Airman Julian Scholten, also on his 3rd deployment.

"They were all very experienced, there were none on their first deployment," said Colonel Jim Silfe, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing. "They just quietly went about their work, providing high quality air support for forces on the ground."

Officials say this is first crash with fatalities in the U-28 Fleet. Right now they're still trying to pinpoint a cause

"We don't have the specifics yet...there is an interim safety investigation board that has taken possession of the crash site, preserving the evidence," Colonel Silfe said.

None of the men were Panhandle natives but they did live and work here on the base. Colonel Silfe says the loss is felt by everyone in the area.

"The units here tend to be very knitted together, some of these folks had roommates that were in another squadron," Colonel Silfe said. "So what we found is that there are connections all around the wing and we're all grieving together for these four men."

Colonel silfe says a memorial service is planned for these four men within the next week. Currently, their bodies are being transported back to the US and to their families.

Earlier Story Courtesy of The United States Air Force:

Capt Ryan P. Hall from the 319th Special Operations Squadron, Capt Nicholas S. Whitlock and 1st Lt Justin J. Wilkens from the 34th Special Operations Squadron and Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten from the 25th Intelligence Squadron died Feb. 18 when their U-28A was involved in an accident near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, located in the Horn of Africa.  No other personnel were on board the aircraft.

The U-28 was returning from a mission in support of OPERATION Enduring Freedom.  

Captain Hall, 30, was a U-28A pilot on his seventh deployment.  He entered the Air Force in 2004, receiving his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corp at The Citadel.  He had been assigned to the 319th SOS at Hurlburt Field since 2007 and had more than 1,300 combat flight hours.

Captain Whitlock, 29, was also a U-28A pilot and was on his fifth deployment.  He entered the Air Force in 2006, receiving his commission through the Officer Training School.  He had been assigned to the 319th SOS and then to the 34th SOS at Hurlburt Field since 2008 and had more than 800 combat flight hours.

Lieutenant Wilkens, 26, was a combat systems officer on his third deployment. He entered the Air Force in 2009, receiving his commission through the Air Force Academy.  He had been assigned to the 34th SOS at Hurlburt Field since April 2011 and had more than 400 combat hours.

Airman Scholten, 26, was a mission systems operator assigned to the 25th IS at Hurlburt Field since 2009.  He enlisted in the Air Force in 2007.  He had more than 600 combat hours in six different airframes and was on his third deployment.

"The Hurlburt Field community expresses our deepest condolences to the family of the crew, and we share in their sorrow. Our efforts are focused on helping them through this difficult time," said Col. Jim Slife, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing. "We will never forget the valuable contributions these brave men made to their country and community."

The U-28A is a single engine, manned fixed wing aircraft developed around the Pilatus PC-12 airframe that provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in support of special operations forces.  

The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.  The Air Force is committed to a thorough investigation, and more information will be released as it becomes available.