Fallen Airmen honored in Patrick ceremony

by 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs Office

6/26/2014 - PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- 

Airmen and friends of the 920th Rescue Wing held a small ceremony at Memorial Plaza here June 25 to commemorate the 18-year anniversary of a terrorist bombing that claimed the lives of 19 Airmen, including 5 from the rescue family.

 

The bombing took place June 6, 1996 at Khobar Towers, a housing complex at Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia, when a truck bomb exploded outside an 8-story building where Airmen were staying. In addition to the 19 Airmen, nearly 500 people of varied nationalities were wounded.

 

Col. Brett Howard, 920th Vice Commander, spoke about his feelings of kinship to those who lost their lives and offered condolences to the family members in attendance of those who lost their lives in the bombing.

 

"I especially feel like I know these heroes because we are all part of the rescue family," he said. "I thank you, and we honor your sacrifice."

 

The rescue Airmen from the 71st Rescue Group, 1st Squadron, formally housed at Patrick AFB, who perished that day are:

 

Capt. Christopher J. Adams of Massapequa Park, N.Y.

Capt. Leland T. Haun of Clovis, Calif.

Master Sgt. Michael G. Heiser of Palm Coast, Fla.

Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Johnson of Shreveport, La.

Airman First Class Justin R. Wood of Modesto, Calif.

 

The 920th Rescue Wing is an Air Force Reserve combat search and rescue unit, which performs more than 20 percent of the Air Force's combat search and rescue mission (CSAR). The Wing is comprised of 1,800 Airmen and flies both fixed and rotor wing aircraft: the HC-130P/N extended-range Hercules and the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.