Rest in Peace our Brothers
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09 June 2011
Today, a couple of messages came in from Air Force Combat Search and Rescue personnel. The first message, reprinted below, caused me to stop and read it a couple of times. It is important to note that these Air Force personnel are part of the teams that get our warriors off the battlefields and into the trauma centers in under one hour, on average. In fact, last week the average was less than 40 minutes from call to hospital. That is incredible. Such dedication is not without cost. Rest in Peace our Brothers.
The message below came in today:
On this day exactly one year ago this happen.
6/9/2010 - Air Force Combat Search and Rescue call sign Pedro 66 and Pedro 67 launched from Bastion Afghanistan in southern Afghanistan on their 3rd alert scramble of the day. Pedro 66/67 arrived on scene to recover the critically injured British Marine. The two Black Hawks immediately came under enemy fire resulting in a critically damaged tail rotor on Pedro 66. Still airborne the crew of Pedro 66 attempted to fly the hobbled bird away from ground forces to ensure no other Marines would be injured. After clearing the Landing Zone and civilian houses the aircraft became uncontrollable and Pedro 66 crashed. Pedro 67 was able to save 3 Airmen immediately along with the injured Marine. Tragically 4 Airmen perished that day: 1st LT Joel Gentz, and SSgt David Smith from the 58th and 66th Rescue Squadrons at Nellis AFB, NV and TSgt Michael Flores, and Senior Airman Benjamin White from the 48th Rescue Squadron Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Capt. David A. Wisniewski (Aircraft Commander) also from the 66th RQS at Nellis would never wake from his coma and died 23 days later. 2 survivors Capt. Anthony Simone and MSgt Christopher Aguilera are still in recovery. Capt. Simone will never be the same due to his injuries and is with family and friends in Chicago, Illinois. MSgt Aguilera is continuing to get better and is working his way back to flying status.
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Michael Yon
P O Box 5553
Winter Haven, FL 33880-5553
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Thank you!
Michael
Comments
RIP
I was assigned to the 7th Air Rescue Group, Wheelus AB, Libya, 1956-1957, and had many friends in the 58th which was assigned to us. General Dubose, Commander ARS, came up with the motto "That Others May Live" for the Air Rescue Service when he assumed command. It was never the exclusive motto of our paramedics but was the property of the whole Air Rescue family.
I still take pride in my family.
"That Others May Live"
Paul Garner
The Old Sarge
Thank you for remembering with honor the Air Force Combat Search and Rescue mission (June 62010)of call-sign Pedro 66/67. We shall never forget especially thanks to your recognition. Our hearts go out to the survivors and love and respect to those families who lost those heroes... our world is less for their loss.
Please take special care of yourself. You are a patriot and we need you to continue to tell the story of Afghanistan and all those who serve with distinction, bravery and courage!
Be safe and well.
Our love and full support and deep appreciation,
The Youngs,
Northern California, USA
Be safe, you patriot. The Afghanistan story would not be told well without you! One of our soldiers deploys this week and the Marine soon.
Please also remember in your prayers a fine young woman, Spec. Devin Snyder of Cohocton, NY. She, along with Sgt. Christopher Bell of Golden, MS, Sgt. Joshua Powell of Quitman, TX and Pfc. Robert Voakes Jr. of L'anse, MI. They were serving with the 793rd MP Battalion when they were killed on 6/04/11 by a roadside IED near Mehtar Lam in Laghman Province. May they also rest in peace.
Such very fine and very special young men and women we have serving our country. God Bless and keep them.
www.fallenheroesproject.org
Leyla
God Bless them all and keep them safe, but if angels should come to take them well God couldn't have a better group of young men and women covering his sixes.
Please everyone make an extra effort that when you see a soldier or a troop convoy, wave at them, give them a thumbs up, or even a hug. Everyone soldier I have done this to appreciates it and believe me, you get much more out of it than your simple acknowledgement of their bravery.
God bless all our troops....
Any word on when your pictorial book will ship?!?
Dennis
Thank you, Mike.
God Bless The Troops
Aloha Nui Loa
Marisa, Eliana, and Michael Flores
{o.o}
My heart breaks away more every time.
And why do I "forget" the mention the terrific "ladies of Liberty" who are serving and dying too ...maybe it's because I cannot picture myself in such a dire situation.
Classic story.
As previously mentioned, I was with the 7th Air Rescue Group in Libya in 1956-57. I had forgotten Elliot Arnold's book until you mentioned it. My copy is packed away somewhere and, as I recall, was autographed by him. I will have to dig it out again.
My nephew, CWO Alan Gunn was the copilot of Dustoff 90 and went MIA on 12 Feb 68 on a medevac flight from Banh Mi Thuy. No trace was ever found of his body.
That Others May Live
Paul
The Old Sarge
Salutes
S.F
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/06/family_of_first_lt_joel_gentz.html
These brave who when knowing the mission is "FUBAR" will still dive in head first. Not from the absence of fear but rather knowing that something else is more important...And that's never to leave our war fighters behind.
That very thought is comfort to all service men and woman. Knowing that those who dare will have angels coming for them when in peril.
A salute to these ultimate examples of selfless heroism.
Sgt A.
I was there that day I remember hearing that call when it came out. I remember seeing the Pave hawks go out. I also remember seeing that empty spot where the pave hawk sat just hours before. It was a constant reminder for weeks that we had lost a bird. Thanks for remiding us. I lost one of my brothers on January 2nd 2010, SrA Bradley Smith, he along with the other ERQs will never be forgotten. miss you brad
SSG Bravs
-zachary simone,
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