Then-Airman 1st Class Charles Crumlett prepares a weapon to be loaded during a crew competition in January 2018 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (Kenneth Boyton/U.S. Air Force)

WASHINGTON — Air Force Staff Sgt. Charles Crumlett died Friday during a workplace incident at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, the service said in a statement.

Crumlett, 25, of Streamwood, Ill., served as a weapons load crew chief for six years in the service, working on F-15 Strike Eagles, A-10 Warthogs and F-22 Raptors. He was a member of the 90th Fighter Generation Squadron when he arrived last month at Elmendorf-Richardson.

“Sgt. Crumlett’s drive and willingness to help his fellow maintainers is a loss for the entire maintenance community,” said Lt. Col. Charles Bayne, his unit commander.

Crumlett joined the Air Force in November 2016. After completing basic training, he was a student at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, where he graduated as a weapons load crew member in January 2017. Crumlett then moved on to his first duty station at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Charles Crumlett died March 15, 2024, in a workplace accident at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (Facebook)

Crumlett’s awards and decorations include two Air and Space Commendation Medals and one Air Force Achievement Medal.

“Charlie had such a promising future in our Air Force,” said Col. Kevin Jamieson. “Though he was new to JBER, it was immediately clear that Charlie had a passion for his duty and for service. He will be greatly missed.”

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is conducting a review into the incident.