The Armed Forces Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed identification of remains found off the California coast as those of Air Force Reservist SSgt. Jonathan R. Leonard, who was on the HC-130 aircraft that crashed into the Pacific Nov. 22, 1996. Flying under call sign King 56, the aircraft from the 939th Rescue Wing, Portland, Ore., lost power successively to each of its four engines. Only one of the 11 Reservists on board survived the crash. An AFRC news release reports that a fishing boat crew discovered Leonard’s remains, including a partial nametag, in September.
How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New
Dec. 20, 2024
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.