9/11 memorial ceremony

Airmen of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing render a salute during the lowering of the American flag at the 9/11 memorial ceremony Sept. 11, 2010, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. This is the ninth anniversary of the day 2,998 individuals perished during a terrorist attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chad Chisholm/Released)

9/11 memorial ceremony

The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Honor Guard salutes the American flag at half-staff during the 9/11 memorial ceremony, Sept. 11, 2010, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. This is the ninth anniversary of the day 2,998 individuals perished during a terrorist attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chad Chisholm/Released)

9/11 memorial ceremony

Chap. (Lt. Col.) Michael Gilbert plays taps after the lowering of the American flag to half-staff at the 9/11 memorial ceremony Sept. 11, 2010, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. This is the ninth anniversary of the day 2,998 individuals perished during a terrorist attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chad Chisholm/Released)

Deployed Airmen gather for 9/11 memorial ceremony

Published Sept. 11, 2010
By Senior Airman Melissa B. White
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- "Early that morning, 19 hijackers took control of four airliners. At 8:45 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 was hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center's north tower. The tower burned for 108 minutes before collapsing."

This is part of a script that sounds all too familiar to most Americans nowadays, and a constant reminder to Airmen for why they are currently serving in places like Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

"The total number of lives lost that day was 2,998," read Senior Master Sgt. Ramon Barajas, 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions flight chief. "The attacks forever affected the lives of millions of Americans and changed the world. We will always remember Sept. 11."

Nearly 200 Airmen gathered for a memorial ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at Camp Losano on KAF.

"It's a great honor to be here and be a part of this to remember the many individuals we lost in the catastrophe and to be able to give something back to them," said Sergeant Barajas, who is deployed here from the 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. "Everyone in this air wing should be proud to be here knowing that they're a part of the mission to protect our families and loved ones back home."

During the ceremony, Col. Darren Hansen, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander, came to the front to address the crowd.

"We gather here to remember the men and women who lost their lives nine years ago," said the colonel. "I call upon all of you to reflect on our mission and its objectives. While troop levels, means and the weight of the efforts have shifted throughout the years, one thing will stay the same, and that is the sovereign state of Afghanistan will never again be a safe haven for terrorists or extremist activities that facilitate treacherous attacks against the free people of this world."

Colonel Hansen continued by discussing the mission and goal of Airmen in the war and how the Airmen in this wing provide a persistent and powerful presence in Afghanistan. There are currently approximately 2,000 Airmen assigned to the 451st AEW.

"We owe no less to those 2,998 people who lost their lives that day," he said. "We will never falter so as to ensure the safety of our loved ones and our way of life. You all have exceeded my expectations thus far ... stay focused."