Lt Kenneth Allen: US fighter pilot's funeral live-streamed

Facebook/RAF Lakenheath Hannah AllenFacebook/RAF Lakenheath
Lt Kenneth Allen's wife Hannah paid tribute to her husband during the service

The funeral of a US fighter pilot who died when his jet crashed into the North Sea has been live-streamed on social media.

1st Lt Kenneth Allen, of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed off the East Yorkshire coast while training on 15 June.

Lt Allen, 27, who had been stationed at the base since February, was laid to rest at Mountain Green Cemetery, Utah.

The air base said the Facebook live-stream helped more people to "attend".

U.S. Air Force/Rhonda Smith A memorial is displayed at RAF Lakenheath to honour Lt Kenneth AllenU.S. Air Force/Rhonda Smith
A memorial is displayed at RAF Lakenheath to honour Lt Allen

Posting on its Facebook page, RAF Lakenheath said: "Due to current Covid-19 travel restrictions, the family of 1Lt Kenneth 'Kage' Allen has requested that his funeral service be streamed publicly to ensure all those who would have liked to attend can do so virtually."

In a tribute during the service, Lt Allen's wife Hannah described how her husband would call her daily.

"Kage went about doing good. He gave the ultimate sacrifice, he laid down his life for his friends, his country and his God," she said.

The couple had been married just over three months.

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RAF Lakenheath Memorial service Utah USARAF Lakenheath
Lt Allen's mother Debbie reflected on her son's kindness and strength

His mother Debbie Allen said her son had dreamed of being a pilot from a young age.

"Kage loved this great land. Love of God, his family and his nation were driving forces for him. We have been blessed to know him," she said.

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Lt Allen was the assistant chief of weapons and tactics for the 493rd Fighter Squadron.

He was on a training exercise with 11 other aircraft when his plane went into the sea 74 nautical miles (85 miles) off the East Yorkshire coast.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is continuing.

RAF Lakenheath is the largest US Air Force-operated base in England and home to its only F-15 fighter wing in Europe.

F-15C Eagle
Lt Allen's name has been painted on a jet as a tribute