News>Gone but not forgotten: Rescue Airmen remember the fallen
Story at a Glance
• Rescue Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing here held a small ceremony June 24 at Memorial Plaza to commemorate the 15 year anniversary of the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers where five fellow Rescue Airmen were killed. • "I did not know these men personally, but they are part of my military family," said Col. George Raeder. • "Coming back to celebrate their life to me is awesome," said Ms. Johnson.
Photos
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.- The Khobar Towers memorial is part of many memorials at Memorial Plaza here. It symbolizes the 5 airmen from Patrick AFB that lost their lives at Khobar Towers. Engraved in the memorial is the following: "In honor of the 19 Americans who gave their lives in the terrorist bombing at Khobar Towers, Dhahran Air Base on 25 June 1996... 'that others may live'". (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.- Susan Jerome sings "Heroes Fight For Peace" at the Khobar Towers memorial here at Memorial Plaza. This memorial marks the 15 year anniversary of the terrorist bombing that took the lives of five Rescue Airmen from Patrick. The wing's primary wartime job is combat search and rescue, which involves locating and rescuing service members insolated in combat. (U.S Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.- Darrell Hankins, former 1st Rescue Group airman and current 920th Rescue Wing Resource Advisor here greets those attending the memorial for the Khobar Towers. Col. George Raeder, 920th RQW Maintenance Mission Group commander, Capt. Matthew Simpson, 920th RQW Chaplain and retired Col. Thomas Friers, former 1st Rescue Group Commander join Mr. Hankins on stage to add special touches to the ceremony. The Wing has a 50-year history of saving lives, and the Airmen here have rescued nearly 1,500 personnel in peacetime and in combat. They live by the motto, "these things we do, that others may live." (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.- Staff Sgt. Jason Rankin and Tech. Sgt David Drury stand at attention after laying the wreath in front of the Khobar Towers memorial here. The laying of the wreath is a way to remember the 19 U.S servicemembers that lost their lives 15 years ago after a fuel truck exploded in front of the Khobar Towers. Many 920th Rescue Wing Airmen were in attendance to share the memories of their fallen comrades. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.- Shyrl Johnson, wife of Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Johnson, and their son Nicholas Johnson lay a flower under Sergeant Johnson's portrait. "Coming back to celebrate their life to me is awesome," said Ms. Johnson. Sergeant Johnson lost his life 15 years ago when a fuel truck exploded in front of the Khobar Towers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.- Retired Col. Thomas Friers, takes a moment to remember his fallen comrades at the Khobar Towers memorial here at Memorial Plaza. Mr. Friers was the 1st Rescue Group Commander here at Patrick AFB when the attack happened. The 920th Rescue Wing, originally the 301st Rescue Squadron, was activated in 1956, becoming the Air Force Reserve's first rescue squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.- The 920th Rescue Wing here held a ceremony for the victims of Khobar Towers. From left to right: Capt. Christopher J. Adams, Capt. Leland T. Haun, Master Sgt. Michael G. Heiser, Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Johnson and Airman First Class Justin R. Wood were the five airmen from Patrick that lost their lives 15 years ago. This is the 15th year anniversary of the bombing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge)
by Airman First Class Natasha Dowridge
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
6/27/2011 - PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tears and memories flowed freely as survivors drew together to remember the lives lost 15 years ago. In front of them stood a handsome memorial with the following engraved in stone, 'In honor of the 19 Americans who gave their lives in the terrorist bombing at Khobar Towers, Dhahran Air Base on 25 June 1996... "that others may live"'.
Rescue Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing here held a small ceremony June 24 at Memorial Plaza to commemorate the 15 year anniversary of the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers where five fellow Rescue Airmen were killed.
"I did not know these men personally, but they are part of my military family," said Col. George Raeder, 920th Mission Support Group commander. "I know what they did and I will remember them."
Kind words and stories were shared by Col. Raeder, Capt. Matthew Simpson, 920th RQW Chaplain, retired Colonel Thomas Friers, former 1st Rescue Group Commander and Darrell Hankins, former 1st RSG airman at the ceremony.
Capt. Christopher J. Adams, Capt. Leland T. Haun, Master Sgt. Michael G. Heiser, Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Johnson and Airman First Class Justin R. Wood lost their lives 15 years ago.
Those in attendance were Jenny Haun, wife of Captain Haun, Catherine Adams, mother of Captain Adams and Shyrl and Nicholas Johnson, wife and son of Staff Sgt. Johnson, amongst members from Patrick AFB.
"They are heroes," said Ms. Haun.
For those left behind the memorial is more than just stone. It is a way to stay connected with those who gave their lives for their country.
"Coming back to celebrate their life to me is awesome," said Ms. Johnson. "It's wonderful for me because I can always come and visit."
In all, 19 U.S. servicemembers and one Saudi were killed and 372, of many nationalities, were wounded as a result of a fuel truck exploding outside the Khobar Towers. Among those housed in the Khobar Towers were the 1st RSG from Patrick AFB, a deployed fighter squadron from Eglin AFB and support personnel from Wright-Patterson and Offutt Air Bases.
The 1st RSG has since been relocated to Moody AFB, Georgia.
The 920th specializes in combat search and rescue (CSAR) and trains its Rescue Reserve Airmen to the highest standard so tragedies like the Khobar Towers can be prevented. More than 20 percent of the Air Force's CSAR are performed by the 920th RQW, 'these things we do, that others may live'.
"Wherever Air Force men and women serve, they serve in harm's way because of the ever present threat of terrorism," said Frederick W. Peters, former Secretary of the Air Force. "A memorial no matter how grand, cannot take away the hurt."
