FARMINGTON, Utah — The body of a U.S. Air Force pilot killed during a training exercise in England is back in Utah.
Current soldiers and veterans placed flags in Farmington honoring 1st Lt. Kenneth “Kage” Allen Friday afternoon.
“He truly lived a hero’s life. That kid was amazing,” said Follow The Flag volunteer Ryan Wilcox.
Hundreds lined the route from the Salt Lake Airport to the Russon Mortuary.
Natasha Tilley welcomed home the man she saw grow up in Perry.
“There was something about Kage that was very, very special. I recognized it as soon as he moved in. I would say, he’s probably the best young man that I have ever met,” said Tilley.
Lt. Allen was based with the 48th Fighter Wing at the Royal Air Force’s Lakenheath.
The 27-year-old was married in February, days before deployment.
He was killed earlier this month when his F-15C Eagle crashed near the North Sea coast.
“There are lots of sayings like, ‘What would Jesus do?’ But my new one is, 'What would Kage do?’ I think it would be close to the same thing.”
His parents and wife followed behind the flag-draped casket led by dozens of law enforcement and military members.
Overhead, fellow fighter pilots from Hill Air Force Base oversaw the procession.
“It’s really been a beautiful thing, despite all the chaos happening, to see the community come together to recognize something important,” Wilcox said.
Lt. Allen’s funeral is scheduled for Independence Day. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
