Kandahar Heritage

During a dedication ceremony Nov. 30, 2004 at Fort Polk, Louisiana, family members and tactical air control party Airmen honored Airman 1st Class Raymond Losano, who gave his life while serving in Afghanistan fighting in the war on terrorism.

Losano was one of the first tactical control Airmen killed in combat since the inception of the career field during the Korean War.  The ceremony was an emotional day for all who attended.

A tower at Fort Polk as well as a compound at Kandahar Airfield were dedicated in his honor. Many Airmen assigned to the 451^st Air Expeditionary Group at Kandahar live and work in Camp Losano.   

“It is a history of honor, of tradition and selfless bravery that we honor,” Brig. Gen. Gregory J. Ihde said during the dedication ceremony. “Let us never forget the young Airmen who have tremendous responsibility and influence on our future as a country in the performance of their duties.”

Losano was in the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron from Fort Bragg, N.C., and deployed to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division in March 2003. His job was to parachute behind enemy lines and call in air strikes.

On April 25, 2003 his unit was ambushed; he was one of two service members mortally wounded in the attack. Even after receiving his fatal wounds, he called in an air strike that saved the rest of his unit.

Losano was awarded a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart posthumously for his quick reaction in calling in air support that helped his team repel their attackers.

“He died a hero in every sense of the word,” said his wife, Sarah Losano. “I’m so proud of him and everything he did for all of us.”

Those who remember Losano say he was a devoted father and husband, and a great Airman. Losano is survived by his wife and two daughters.