Photo By Staff Sgt. Adam Juchniewicz | Col. Michael Bank, 106th Rescue Wing commander, Maj. Rick Montana, 308th Rescue...... read more read more
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Westhampton Beach, N.Y. – Members of the 106th Rescue Wing, along with three members from other bases, who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in March, were honored here today with a plaque dedicated in their names, for placement at the base headquarters building.
On March 15, an HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter crashed near the city of Al-Qa’im in western Iraq, killing the seven aircrew members onboard. The flight, now known by the call sign used by the aircrew that day, Jolly 51, was made up of four Airmen who were based here, one Airman based in Georgia, and two Airmen based in Florida.
Colonel Michael W. Bank, 106th Rescue Wing commander, spoke to some 1,000 Airmen and family members. Attendants came from as far as Florida and Georgia for presentation of the bronze memorial plaque, inscribed with the names of the fallen.
“That day touched us all and marked a change that spans not only across seven families but our entire military family,” said Bank “…may this Jolly 51 plaque, bearing the names, etched in bronze of our fallen warriors that we dedicate here today, forever let all who stop to pay their respects, know these fine Airmen.”
Fallen Airmen honored:
Major Andreas B. O'Keeffe, 37, of Center Moriches, HH-60 Pave Hawk pilot, 106th Rescue Wing, Westhampton Beach, N.Y.
Major Christopher T. Zanetis, 37, of Long Island City, HH-60 Pave Hawk pilot, 106th Rescue Wing, Westhampton Beach, N.Y.
Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso, 39, of Commack, Special mission aviation support specialist, 106th Rescue Wing, Westhampton Beach, N.Y.
Technical Sergeant Dashan J. Briggs, 30, of Port Jefferson Station, Special mission aviation support specialist, 106th Rescue Wing, Westhampton Beach, N.Y.
Captain Mark K. Weber, 29, of Colorado Springs, Colo., 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
Master Sergeant William R. Posch, 36, of Indialantic, Fl., 308th Rescue Squadron, Air Force Reserve, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.
Staff Sergeant Carl P. Enis, 31, of Tallahassee, Fl., 308th Rescue Squadron, Air Force Reserve, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.
The 106th Rescue Wing specializes in worldwide personnel recovery of pilots, military personnel and civilians, by air, land and sea, during combat and peacetime. The 106th Rescue Wing personnel were operating in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the American-led coalition operation to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
For more information please contact the 106th Rescue Wing Public Affairs Office at 631-723-7470.
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2018 17:25 |
| Story ID: | 287275 |
| Location: | WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 355 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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