PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard is requesting all flags in his state be flown at half-staff on Thursday to honor the four airmen from North Carolina who died as they fought a wildfire in the Black Hills.
The four airmen from the North Carolina National Guard were fighting the White Draw fire in western South Dakota when their C-130 tanker went down Sunday evening.
Those killed were Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal of Mooresville, N.C.; Senior Master Sgt. Robert S. Cannon of Charlotte, N.C.; Maj. Joseph M. McCormick of Belmont, N.C.; and Maj. Ryan S. David of Boone, N.C.
Two other airmen were injured in the crash.
Daugaard called their deaths a tragedy and directed flags be lowered from 8 a.m. to sunset.
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