SOUTHWEST ASIA --
Service members gathered to honor and remember their comrades at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia March 21, 2018.
Soldiers and Airmen paid homage to seven men who died March 15 in a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crash in western Iraq. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The crew was comprised of:
Capt. Mark K. Weber, 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia
Capt. Andreas B. O’Keefe, 106th Rescue Wing, Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, New York
Capt. Christopher T. Zanetis, 106th Rescue Wing, Francis S. Gabreski ANG Base
Master Sgt. Christopher J. Raguso, 106th Rescue Wing, Francis S. Gabreski ANG Base
Staff Sgt. Dashan J. Briggs, 106th Rescue Wing, Francis S. Gabreski ANG Base
Master Sgt. William R. Posch, 308th Rescue Squadron, Air Force Reserve, Patrick AFB, Florida
Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis, 308th Rescue Squadron, Air Force Reserve, Patrick AFB
The ceremony, which included a playing of “God Bless America” on the bagpipes and rollcall of the fallen, provided attendees the opportunity to find closure.
“It was a very well performed tribute that connected the past and present of these Airmen and enabled their military brethren to remember and honor their sacrifice,” said Senior Master Sgt. Bryan K. Tkacs, 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group first sergeant. “I'm still filled with mixed emotions of sadness, frustration and confusion. I'm sadden for the family members and closest friends of these heroes. They were taken far too soon.”