Photo By Capt. Jason Smith | (Left to right) Chief Master Sgt. Terrence Greene, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing...... read more read more
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Three maintainers from the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron unveiled a memorial plaque Dec. 11, 2013, in front of 451st Air Expeditionary Wing leadership.
The memorial was created in honor of Airman 1st Class Raymond Losano who was killed during a firefight in Afghanistan April 25, 2003.
Senior Master Sgt. Scott Foy, Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Work and Staff Sgt. Tyler Duke, all members of the 451st EAMXS, took on the memorial project when it was brought to their attention that the original memorial needed some repair work. Based on the original wreath design, they built a replacement memorial.
“I knew there was a camp named after him, but I didn’t know much else about [Losano],” said Duke. “I started looking into on the Internet, and I learned how selflessly he served. He had a wife and young daughter, and a baby on the way.
“Essentially, [Losano] embodies our core values. He’s a hero,” continued Duke. “A warrior Airman like that deserves to be remembered and have his story told. He deserves a memorial that will stand the test of time.”
Foy and Work also were “all in” on the memorial project. However, both are quick to give Duke the lion’s share of credit for the final product.
“It by far exceeded expectations,” said Foy. “Duke just ran with it. The design came out his head.”
The design features a solid plate of aircraft grade aluminum with airman first class stripes, the Air Force core values, ammunition shells and Losano’s name.
Each round was hand polished, said Work. The lettering is machined and painted.
“It’s been since 2003, but hopefully his family knows that [Losano] is still held in the highest place of honor,” said Duke. “He’s in the hearts and minds of people serving.”
The memorial is currently displayed in the 451st AEW headquarters building at Camp Losano.
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2013 07:52 |
| Story ID: | 118030 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | FORT WORTH, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | GILMER, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 112 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, In honor of a ‘warrior airman’, by Capt. Jason Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
