Air Mobility Command accident investigators determined that a vehicle driver’s error led to the death of SrA. John E. King II of Sarasota, Fla., on Feb. 17 while King was on duty in the aircraft services warehouse at JB Andrews, Md., according to a command release. The vehicle struck King, 21, fatally injuring him, according to the Sept. 4 release, which highlights the findings in the command’s ground accident investigation board report. King was a member of Andrews’ 89th Aerial Port Squadron. King was standing at the rear of the vehicle and guiding an air transportation specialist driver as the driver was parking to create more room to move equipment in the warehouse when the fatal accident occurred, states the release. The vehicle driver “did not follow standard Air Force vehicle operating procedures and did not perform the proper corrective actions,” states the release. Lack of communication between King and the driver also contributed to the mishap, according to AMC.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.