Air Force trainee who died during influenza outbreak from Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Keon Talik McDaniel, who died in June amid an influenza outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas was from Grand Rapids.

The 25-year-old’s death was due to the flu according to Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro, but the Air Force’s notice of his death did not mention influenza and said McDaniel “experienced a medical emergency” and died at a hospital.

The flu outbreak that hit Lackland Air Force Base happened after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended the mandatory flu vaccine for service members earlier this year.

Castro blames that for the outbreak and McDaniel’s death.