On July 10, 2017, at 2141 Zulu (3:41 PM local), a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130T, "Yanky 72," flying at 20,000 feet, suffered a catastrophic inflight breakup and disappeared from radar at the Memphis ARTCC. A query of nearby airports failed to locate it, and witnesses on the ground and local agricultural pilots reported an aircraft accident about seven miles west of this site, leading to confirmation of the crash. First responders arrived quickly, but the event was non-survivable. For several weeks, an emergency operations center operated on this site as crews from many local, state, and federal agencies worked alongside the Marines to recover the remains and all associated wreckage. Those who lost their lives were Major Caine M. Goyette, Captain Sean E. Elliott, Gunnery Sergeant Mark A. Hopkins, Gunnery Sergeant Brendan C. Johnson, Staff Sergeant Joshua M. Snowden, Sergeant Julian M. Kevianne, Sergeant Owen J. Lennon, Corporal Daniel I. Baldassare, Corporal Collin J. Schaaff, Staff Sergeant Robert H. Cox, Staff Sergeant William J. Kundrat, Sergeant Chad E. Jenson, Sergeant Talon R. Leach, Sergeant Joseph J. Murray, Sergeant Dietrich A. Schmieman, and Petty Officer First Class Ryan M. Lohrey.
