Sad day for the F-15E

Pima

Pima

10-Year Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2007
Messages
13,900
AS some of you might now know, the F-15E community have lost two of their brethren this morning. It hits Bullet and I especially hard since they were with our sister squadron the Rockets. The crash occurred this morning in Afghanistan. Names have not been released yet since they are still notifying the families. It seems like only yesterday Bullet was ar Seymour, when in fact on AUg 8 th it will be 1 yr since we left. I am hoping among all hopes that if they were married the spouses of these flier decided to remain at SJAFB while they were deployed. Losing your love one is very hard, but it is even harder when you don't have your AF family around you. Our last crash occurred over Iraq in 03, the families had them buried at ARlington and the entire squadron drove up for the funeral.

My prayers to the families, my thoughts and hopes that they may find solace in the fact that their loved one died doing what made them the happiest, soaring the pearly skies and touching the face of God.
 
I just got the update...no names yet because SJAFB is still on lock down. They are on lock down since both were married, ea had 2 small children and both wives were out of town.

FYI: Lockdown means no information is sent out.

For those who do not know the system, it is very clear cut, the AD member upon arrival at the squadron will fill out a "if I die questionaire" there are certain questions. For example, how do you want to be informed (answered by the wife), if it is by personal, the car driving up and a soldier in uniform with a chaplain and she is out of state visiting her folks, the base must coordinate this with another base. Another question regardless if you are married is how do you want your parents notified, and if there is a special person that the notification team should contact prior. They also ask are there medical conditions they should be aware of (i.e. in Bullet's sit. we informed them of his fathers heart). The file includes things that you would never think of at that moment, such as children, do you want to designate a person to pick them up from school ---translation they will learn before you because they are informed of what is occurring, where do you want to be buried, who do you want to accompany the body. These letters are sealed and placed in a safe only to be open in case of death. When you PCS they are handed back to you. Older flyers traditionally add extra info, they are personal letters to their spouses and children. I always felt a sigh of relief to place them in the garbage as we moved out of the home.

This is a very morbid topic, but from someone who has now had to know 6 crew families that endured this, I feel it is important for anybody just starting this life to understand, even in this upheaval the military will not desert you and make sure every direction that you have asked for is followed. This is why sometimes names can be released within hours and sometimes it is longer. The process begins very quickly, our friend was called in last night and is sitting at headquarters preparing for the next phase.

The crash was not due to enemy fire, the airmen bodies will be returned with honors
 
That is very sad. My prayers go out to the families. Having met the SE guys, it makes me sad to think 2 more of them are gone.
 
Pima:

I don't know what the formal procedure is now (Chaplain/Officer) but initial notification must be the worst duty assignment ever concieved. A lot of my relatives are Sate Troopers and they always said that going to the house after a fatal was the worst thing they ever had to do. I worked a lot of funerals as color guard, honor guard and pall bearer but that was way after, but it was bad enough.
 
I'm sorry to hear that.
Losing friends is always tough. I hope their families can find some peace in this terrible time.


A toast...
 
They have officially announced the names, both were very young 26 and 27, one listed his hometown as C springs, so I am going to take a leap he will be buried there.
 
I believe it was Grammith that had 7 mos old twins. The other officer was married to another officer who is currently in Iraq. He will be buried at Arlington in Oct. She is waiting for the Rockets to return, so the entire squadron will be able to attend the funeral. I am sure that the Chiefs will do the missing man. He is also the one that was an AFA grad, I think he was the class of 05.
 
Last edited:
Actually since it was not due to hostile enemy action, it is typical that an accident board will meet and it takes months for the board to release their results.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top