Airman with Biloxi’s Keesler Air Force Base dies in car crash

An airman with the 81st Training Wing at Keesler Air Force Base has died in a car crash off base, Keesler said in a public statement.

The person’s identity is not yet being released so next of kin can be notified.

Keesler said just before 8 a.m. that the crash happened earlier in the morning on Saturday, May 2.

No other details on the crash were provided.

Keesler AFB is home to the 81st Training Wing, 2nd Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Reserve 403rd Wing.

With an average daily student load of more than 2,700, the 81st is a lead Joint Training Installation, instructing personnel from every military service branch including the U.S. Coast Guard as well as civilians from federal agencies.

Most recently, the 81st has been hosting a test class of new recruits for basic training. Lackland Air Force Base in Texas normally hosts all basic training, but the Air Force is exploring more options that allow for social distancing during the new coronavirus pandemic.

The Sun Herald will update this story as more information is available.