.jpg){kind=small}
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard is requesting all flags to 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.
