455th AEW remembers fallen brothers and sisters

Members of the base Honor Guard team prepare to fold the flag during the Memorial Day remembrance ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 30, 2016. Memorial Day, which was first known as Decoration Day, was created during the Civil War. It was proclaimed in 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. The day became a national holiday with the Congressional passage of the National Holiday Act in 1971. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tyrona Lawson)

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455th AEW remembers fallen brothers and sisters

A Memorial Day remembrance ceremony was held at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 30, 2016. During the ceremony, a special tribute was made to the 93 Airmen from the 455th AEW who lost their lives while deployed in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Dantzler)

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455th AEW remembers fallen brothers and sisters

Members of the base Honor Guard team prepare to fold the flag during the Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 30, 2016. Memorial Day, which was first known as Decoration Day, was created during the Civil War. It was proclaimed in 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. The day became a national holiday with the Congressional passage of the National Holiday Act in 1971. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Dantzler)

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455th AEW remembers fallen brothers and sisters

Members of the base Honor Guard team retire the colors during the Memorial Day remembrance ceremony. During the ceremony, 93 Airmen from the 455th AEW who have lost their lives serving in Afghanistan were remembered in a special tribute. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Dantzler)

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455th AEW remembers fallen brothers and sisters

Capt. Benjamin Swope, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, reads the names of fallen servicemembers as the base Honor Guard team folds the flag at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 30, 2016. The Company Grade Officer Council hosted the remembrance ceremony to honor those who gave all in service to our country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tyrona Lawson)

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455th AEW remembers fallen brothers and sisters

Col. Patrick Schlichenmeyer, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander and Airmen from across the 455th AEW, render a salute during the Memorial Day remembrance ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 30, 2016. The ceremony was held in honor of those who paid the ultimate price in service to the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tyrona Lawson)

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455th AEW remembers fallen brothers and sisters

Published May 30, 2016
By Capt. Korey Fratini
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- 2015 was the deadliest year in Afghanistan for the United States Air Force. Sixteen Airmen paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation protecting the freedoms our nation cherishes.

Airmen from across the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing gathered together for a remembrance ceremony on Memorial Day. They honored the lives of the 16 Airmen lost as well as all those servicemembers who have given their lives in defense of the Nation.

“They are not forgotten,” said Capt. Benjamin Swope, 455th Security Forces Squadron. “We remember their sacrifices.”

During the ceremony all 16 names of those Airmen lost in combat during 2015 were read aloud.

Capt. Matthew D. Roland, Staff Sgt. Forrest B. Sibley, Capt. Jonathan J. Golden, Capt Jordan B. Pierson, Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Hammond, Senior Airman Quinn L. Johnson-Harris, Senior Airman Nathan C. Sartain, Airman first class Kcey E. Ruiz, Maj. Phyllis J. Pelky, Master Sgt. Gregory T. Kuhse, Maj. Adrianna M. Vorderbruggen, Tech. Sgt. Joseph G. Lemm, Staff Sgt. Louis M. Bonacasa, Staff Sgt. Michael A. Cino, Staff Sgt. Chester J. Mcbride, Staff Sgt. Peter W. Taub.

This ceremony allowed the 455th AEW to come together and remember the dangers and the sacrifices made by Airmen serving in Afghanistan. For many in attendance, this was an opportunity to come together and build a sense of closure.

“There were quite a few of us who were here when many of those events occurred,” said Brigadier Gen. David Julazadeh, 455th AEW commander. “So it is a way to bring closure to what has happened and honor and never forget those Airmen who did sacrifice their lives for our country.”

Julazadeh, who has been the commander of the 455th AEW for the last year, acknowledged that these events have affected him on a personal level.

“It is pretty challenging. It is one of those things you start to think about and how it will affect you. It will be with me for the rest of my life. Some of the images will forever be there,” said Julazadeh.

As the Nation reflects and remembers those who lost their lives serving the United States this Memorial Day, the 455th AEW continues to live out their legacy.