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Airmen mourn loss of expeditionary teammate

  • Published
  • By Capt. Teresa Sullivan
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Airmen of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing gathered to reflect upon the life of a "true hero" and expeditionary teammate here Tuesday at a memorial service held at Victory Chapel. 

Tech Sgt. Joey Link, 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 flight engineer became ill and was transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Aug. 3 where he passed away two days later. Medical officials continue to work on determining the exact cause of death. 

"Our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Sergeant Link," said Brig. Gen. Charlie Lyon, 379th AEW commander. "Sergeant Link served his country with honor and he'll be sorely missed by the men and women of the 746th and the entire wing." 

Sergeant Link, 29, based out of the 39th Airlift Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and a native of Portland, Tenn., was responsible for monitoring aircraft systems aboard the C-130 Hercules while deployed here in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom as well as the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. 

The sergeant was described as a patriot and a family man who brought humor, life and experience to the squadron. He is survived by his wife Windy, his daughter Rylee and his two sons Andrew and Jordan. 

Sergeant Link entered the Air Force in 1996 and served as an Air Force recruiter and a B-52 and B-1B crew chief prior to becoming a C-130 flight engineer. His passion for his job and for the Air Force will not be forgotten, according to Lt. Col. Joe Sexton, 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander. 

"He understood and put into practice what it means to put service before self. Not having Joey around anymore is a tragic loss to this unit," said the colonel. "His smiling face, mission first attitude and positive influence on us all will be long remembered." 

The ceremony included words from Colonel Sexton, followed by scripture reading and hymns. After that, fellow Airmen stood up and shared stories they remembered about Sergeant Link. 

"I think that we will always remember Joey because he had such an impact on all of us and was such an example. His professionalism, patriotic spirit, and care for others were all qualities that my entire crew wants to emulate in their own lives," said Capt. Rhett Brown, 746th EAS C-130 pilot and Sergeant Link's aircraft commander. 

As the ceremony closed Airmen paid their respects to Sergeant Link. 

"America has lost a true hero," Colonel Sexton said. "Tech. Sgt. Joey Link was a devoted husband, a father of three, an accomplished C-130 flight engineer and a friend to many."