A Rockland native has been identified as one of 16 service members killed when a plane based out of Stewart Air National Guard Base crashed in Mississippi.

Family members have confirmed that Owen Lennon died in the military plane crash on Monday.

The 26 year-old, who is originally from Pomona, graduated from Ramapo Senior High School in 2008. Officials say he was currently living in the village of Montgomery.

A total of 16 service members – nine based out of Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh - were aboard that military plane. They were all killed when the KC-130 aircraft exploded and went down in a soybean field in Mississippi.

Authorities have revealed that at some point the plane lost control while it was at cruising altitude before it disappeared from the radar.

The plane was traveling from North Carolina to California carrying fuel, equipment and arms ammunition.

In a statement, Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, "We the people of Rockland County will remember (Lennon) with a mix of pride and sadness – pride that he died in service to the nation we love and sadness for a young life cut short."