Senior Airman Ashton Goodman

Senior Airman Ashton Goodman was instrumental in advancing women's affairs in Afghanistan's Panjshir Province. On May 23, she participated in a shura, or meeting, with the Afghan Director of Women's Affairs and 20 local women and teenage girls. The group discussed future educational opportunities for the valley's women and girls. Airman Goodman lost her life May 26 from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Stacie N. Shafran)

Senior Airman Ashton Goodman

Senior Airman Ashton Goodman enjoyed interacting with and learning from Panjshir's women. She served as a member of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team's women's affairs committee and regularly organized events and projects to directly improve the quality of life of Afghan women. Airman Goodman lost her life May 26 from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Stacie N. Shafran)

SrA Ashton Goodman

Senior Airman Ashton Goodman organized a humanitarian assistance mission for more than 100 poor Afghan women in a nearby village May 18, 2009. An aspiring writer and photographer, Airmen Goodman enjoyed capturing the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team's mission in photos and words. She also enjoyed the cultural diversity of this deployment and interaction with the Panjshir people. Airman Goodman lost her life May 26 from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Stacie N. Shafran)

Senior Airman Ashton Goodman and Lt. Col. Mark E. Stratton

Senior Airman Ashton Goodman and Lt. Col. Mark E. Stratton atop "Lion Hill" behind their Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan May 24, 2009. Colonel Stratton served as the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team's commander while Airman Goodman spent the majority of her deployment as the Panjshir PRT's primary tactical driver and usually served as the commander's driver. Both Airmen lost their lives May 26 from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Stacie N. Shafran)

Tribute to Senior Airman Ashton Goodman

Published May 29, 2009
By Capt. Stacie N. Shafran
Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Over the past few weeks, a senior airman on the verge of becoming a non-commissioned officer seemed to transform in front of her teammate's eyes.

Everyone already knew that Senior Airman Ashton Goodman was a capable vehicle operator.

The Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team's main project has been the construction of a $28 million road project connecting Panjshir to the Badakhshan province, as well as all neighboring provinces. Airman Goodman supported countless engineering missions to the province's most northern and remote district of Paryan where the final leg of the 80-mile road is presently under construction.

It seems, though, that as her tour on Panjshir's Provincial Reconstruction Team came to an end, she still had a few things left on her to-do list.

Over the past month, Airman Goodman, an aspiring writer and photographer, volunteered to work alongside me in public affairs. Eager to tell our team's story, she penned her first news story and quickly found herself published on the Air Force Web site. She also channeled her passion and creativity every day for two weeks into producing the team's yearbook. Within days of launching an impressive advertising campaign, she had books sold to nearly everyone she came into contact with.

As a 21-year-old young woman, Airman Goodman also found herself in a unique position mentoring the province's female Afghan leadership. During weekly meetings with the Director of Women's Affairs, she advanced the economic and social development of women in Panjshir.

On May 18, she led the tremendous undertaking to deliver much-needed food and house supplies to more than 100 poor women. As we drove up the narrow, steep, winding road to the village, she beamed with excitement over the chance to personally help these women.

Over the next few days, leading into Memorial Day weekend, she'd go on to mingle with female teachers during a "Teacher's Day" celebration, participate in a women's shura (meeting), attend a photography exhibit at Ahmad Shah Massoud's tomb where she saw Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, one of the country's presidential candidates, and sample freshly made ice cream in a local bazaar.

Her contributions to this team are countless and now, as I look at the empty desk next to me in the small office I shared for the past month with Airman Goodman, I smile when I think about the past month I shared with her and the impact she made on Panjshir Province. Her vivacious spirit, zest of life, and eagerness to experience it all will forever be remembered by our team.