115th Fighter Wing Airman dies at Kadena after fall

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kristin Boustany
  • 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MADISON, Wis. --  An Airman assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard's Madison-based 115th Fighter Wing died April 5 following a fall from a fifth-story window in Kadena, Japan.

Airman 1st Class Kelly Tomfohrde, 22, a student at the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse and native of Auburndale, Wisconsin, was taken to the U.S. Navy Hospital Okinawa at Camp Foster where she was pronounced dead at 9:51 p.m. local time.  Her family was notified April 5.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Airman Tomfohrde's family and friends during this difficult time," said Col. Jeffrey Wiegand, 115th Fighter Wing commander. "The men and women of the 115th Fighter Wing also mourn with them as we have lost one of our own."

Approximately 250 Airmen and 12 F-16 Fighting Falcons comprising the 176th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to Kadena in January in support of the Pacific Command Theater Security Package. The deployment is intended to provide the Pacific Command region with forces capable of a variety of operations - including disaster relief, global situational awareness, combating piracy, active defense and power projection.

The 115th Fighter Wing is coordinating support services to assist Airmen in coping with this tragic loss to our Fighter Wing team. 

The cause of the incident is still under investigation. 

The family respectfully requests privacy during this difficult time. Media should contact Capt. Kristin Boustany of the 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 608-245-4395.