Phan, Jason Khai

Also known as: SRA, 66TH SECURITY FORCES SQUADRON, HANSCOM AFB, MA (AFMC)

Combatant

Male Verified

DiedSeptember 12, 2020

Age26 years old

Location of DeathALI AL SALEM, KUWAIT

Cause of DeathNon-combat related vehicle incident

Conflict Operation Inherent Resolve

Senior Airman Jason Khai Phan, 26, of Anaheim, California, was killed in a non-combat vehicle incident at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, on September 12, 2020, while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

Their Story

Senior Airman Jason Khai Phan was a 26-year-old native of Anaheim, California. He served as a member of the 66th Security Forces Squadron, based at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. The squadron provides installation security and force protection.

Phan died on September 12, 2020, at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. According to the U.S. Air Force, his death resulted from a non-combat related vehicle incident. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State group.

By September 2020, Operation Inherent Resolve had entered a phase focused on advising local partner forces and conducting targeted counter-terrorism operations. The Islamic State's territorial caliphate in Iraq and Syria had been declared defeated in 2019, but the group continued an insurgency employing ambushes and improvised explosive devices. U.S. forces in Kuwait provided critical logistical and air support for these ongoing missions.

The Air Force announced Phan's death four days after the incident. His remains were returned to the United States. A memorial service was reportedly held at Hanscom Air Force Base.

Phan was posthumously promoted from Airman First Class to the rank of Senior Airman. He is remembered by his unit and community as a dedicated security forces airman.