Utah airman killed in crash off coast of England remembered for service, love of country

Mark Allen, left, daughter-in-law Hannah Allen and Debbie Allen, discuss the legacy of their son and husband, U.S. Air Force Lt. Kenneth “Kage” Allen, who was killed in a crash off the coast of England. | Steven Breinholt, Deseret News

PERRY, Box Elder County — When 1st Lt. Kenneth “Kage” Allen was just 4 years old, he knew what he wanted to do when he grew up.

“He knew he wanted to be a pilot, and not just a pilot, but a fighter pilot,” his dad, Mark Allen, said. “He wanted to be the best that he could be.”

Kage Allen comes from a strong military family; his father is retired from the U.S. Air Force, and his two brothers are also active-duty pilots.

“He is a person that loves his country, loves his fellow man and didn’t waste time,” Mark Allen said. “Did not waste time.”

Kage Allen, who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2017, earned his wings in 2018 and at age 26 became an F-15 pilot. But his family said his greatest accomplishment was finding and marrying the love of his life, Hannah.

In February, he and Hannah married before he was deployed to Suffolk, England, as the assistant chief of weapons and tactics for the 493rd Fighter Squadron.

On June 15, she got a call she never expected to receive.

“My heart shattered,” Hannah Allen said. “I didn’t know it could do that.”

Kage Allen was killed in a training accident over the North Sea off the coast of England. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

The two had not seen each other since he was deployed in February.

She is finding comfort in honoring her late husband’s legacy and by remembering what he stood for.

“Kage was a man who loved God, he loved me, and he loved his family,” she said. “He made everyone around them feel like they had a special connection with him.”

The family said although he was a person who had a packed schedule, he always made time to serve others.

“His greatest joy came from making life better for other people,” his mother, Debbie Allen, said. “He really went forth doing good.”

Kage Allen’s body will be flown back to Utah Friday. The family plans to hold funeral services on Independence Day.

Allen family photo

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kenneth “Kage” Allen was killed in a plane crash off the coast of England in the North Sea on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.

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