Names Released of Nine Guard Members Killed in WC-130 Crash

By Debbie Gregory

As military investigators seek the cause of the May 2^nd crash of a WC-130 cargo plane in Savannah, Georgia, the Puerto Rico Air National Guard has released the names of the nine Guard members who lost their lives.

The pilot, Maj. José R. Román Rosado had served 18 years and leaves behind a wife and two sons.

The co-pilot, 1st Lt. David Albandoz, had served 16 years and is survived by a wife and a daughter.

The navigator, Maj. Carlos Pérez Serra, had served 23 years and leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter.

The flight engineer, Master Sgt. Mario Braña, had served 17 years and leaves behind his mother and daughter.

The loadmaster, Master Sgt. Eric Circuns, had served 31 years and is survived by a wife, two step-daughters and a son.

The mechanic, Senior Master Sgt. Jan Paravisini, had 21 years of service and is survived by two daughters and a son.

Crew member Master Sgt. Jean Audriffred had served 16 years and is survived by a wife and two sons.

Crew member Master Sgt. Víctor Colón had 22 years of service and is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Crew member Senior Airman Roberto Espada had three years of service and is survived by his grandmother.

All nine crew members had helped with hurricane recovery efforts as part of the 198th Fighter Squadron. The plane was part of Puerto Rico’s Air National Guard’s fleet, and had been used to rescue Americans from the British Virgin Islands after Hurricane Irma, and later supplied food and water to Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Maria.

The debris field stretched 600 feet in diameter, and the only part of the plane that was still intact was its tail section.

The May 2^nd flight had been scheduled to be the last one for this transport.

We extend our sincerest sympathy to the families dealing with this tragic loss, and thank these nine brave men for their service and sacrifice.

David Laiderman