Lt Kenneth Allen: US fighter pilot's funeral live-streamed

Hannah AllenFacebook/RAF Lakenheath

Lt Kenneth Allen's wife Hannah paid tribute to her husband during the service

The funeral of a US fighter pilot who died when his jet crashed into the North Sea has been live-streamed on social media.

1st Lt Kenneth Allen, of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed off the East Yorkshire coast while training on 15 June.

Lt Allen, 27, who had been stationed at the base since February, was laid to rest at Mountain Green Cemetery, Utah.

The air base said the Facebook live-stream helped more people to "attend".

U.S. Air Force/Rhonda Smith

A memorial is displayed at RAF Lakenheath to honour Lt Allen

Posting on its Facebook page, RAF Lakenheath said: "Due to current Covid-19 travel restrictions, the family of 1Lt Kenneth 'Kage' Allen has requested that his funeral service be streamed publicly to ensure all those who would have liked to attend can do so virtually."

In a tribute during the service, Lt Allen's wife Hannah described how her husband would call her daily.

"Kage went about doing good. He gave the ultimate sacrifice, he laid down his life for his friends, his country and his God," she said.

The couple had been married just over three months.

This Facebook post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Facebook
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Facebook content may contain adverts.
Skip facebook post by Follow the Flag - North Ogden

Allow Facebook content?

This article contains content provided by Facebook. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Facebook cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Facebook content may contain adverts.
RAF Lakenheath

Lt Allen's mother Debbie reflected on her son's kindness and strength

His mother Debbie Allen said her son had dreamed of being a pilot from a young age.

"Kage loved this great land. Love of God, his family and his nation were driving forces for him. We have been blessed to know him," she said.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by RAF Lakenheath

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Lt Allen was the assistant chief of weapons and tactics for the 493rd Fighter Squadron.

He was on a training exercise with 11 other aircraft when his plane went into the sea 74 nautical miles (85 miles) off the East Yorkshire coast.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is continuing.

RAF Lakenheath is the largest US Air Force-operated base in England and home to its only F-15 fighter wing in Europe.

Lt Allen's name has been painted on a jet as a tribute

More on this story

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.