Funeral scheduled for Academy officer killed in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The funeral service for Maj. Phyllis Pelky will take place at 10 a.m., Oct. 26, at the Air Force Academy's Cadet Chapel.

Pelky, 45, was killed in a non-hostile helicopter crash near Kabul, Afghanistan Oct. 11. She was one of five killed and five injured in the accident aboard a British Puma Mk2 helicopter.

Pelky most recently served as the aide-de-camp to the Academy superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson.

"We are grieving a deeply-felt loss today," Johnson said Oct. 13. "Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of Major Pelky and all those affected by this tragedy."

Pelky was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel at the time of the crash. She was originally from Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

Pelky will be interred at the Academy.