Flags at half-staff for Cannon airmen

Gov. Susana Martinez ordered flags to fly at half-staff statewide Tuesday in honor of the three Cannon airmen killed last week, according to a release from her office.

First Lieutenant Frederick “Drew” Dellecker and Captains Kenneth Dalga and Andrew Becker died March 14 when their plane crashed during a training exercise.

The release detailed some of the airmen’s backgrounds, and said more executive orders in their memory of the airmen would be issued in the coming days.

• Dalga, 29, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, graduated from the University of Kentucky and was a combat systems officer.

• Becker, 33, of Novi, Michigan, participated in the Reserve Officer Training Program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and served numerous assignments at home and abroad.

• Dellecker, 26, of Daytona Beach, Florida, was a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“The hearts, thoughts and prayers of the people of New Mexico go out to the families and fellow service members of these U.S. Air Force officers in memory of their service and sacrifice,” Martinez said. “The loss of these U.S. Air Force officers reminds us all of the dangers those who serve our country in uniform face every day at home and around the world.”