On May 10, 2020, a heart-wrenching incident occurred in Fairbanks, Alaska, involving 22-year-old Alfaz Sajid Khan. A staff sergeant with the Alaska Air National Guard, Alfaz was near the Tanana River, at the confluence of the Chena River, when a day of fishing took a tragic turn. Around 12:07 p.m., his dog entered the river, prompting Alfaz to go in after it in a rescue attempt. While his dog was able to make it back to the shore, Alfaz began to struggle in the water. He was last seen approximately 50 yards from the riverbank before he submerged and did not resurface. At the time he went missing, he was wearing a white shirt and brown pants.
Alfaz was an Asian male with black hair and brown eyes, stood at 5'9', and weighed around 160 pounds. He had distinctive tattoos on his arms. An avid outdoorsman, his social media presence painted a picture of someone who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had enlisted with the 168th Wing of the Air National Guard at Eielson Air Force Base in February 2016, working as an electrical environmental journeyman. In April 2019, he became a full-time active Guard/Reserve airman and was remembered by his wing commander as a 'true professional with an amazing attitude and a loving, gregarious nature.'
The Alaska State Troopers were notified of the incident and began an investigation into his disappearance. Despite search efforts, Alfaz's body has never been located, and he is presumed to have drowned in the tragic accident. In the wake of this devastating event, a memorial service was held on June 17, 2020, at Eielson Air Force Base to honor the life of the young airman who was lost in a selfless act to save his beloved dog. The case remains a sorrowful reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the profound loss experienced by his family, friends, and military colleagues.
Last Seen: May 10, 2020
