Family, friends pay tribute to fallen Airman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cynthia Haughton
  • Nellis Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  Approximately 800 people gathered at Nellis Air Force Base July 15 to remember the life and service of a 66th Rescue Squadron HH-60G helicopter pilot who paid the ultimate sacrifice while saving the lives of others. Capt. David A. Wisniewski, 31, passed away at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., July 2 from injuries received when an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in southeastern Afghanistan June 9. Four other Airmen were killed and two others were wounded.

Standing in front of an HH-60G framed by a large American flag inside the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds hangar, commanders, friends and family shared warm memories of their fellow Airman.

Col. Billy Thompson, commander of the 563rd Rescue Group, explained that he remembers each of his troops for a different reason. He said he remembered "Wiz," not for the 1970's disco party they once attended, but from a December 2004 conversation while deployed to Clark Air Base in the Philippines.

One morning, he received a phone call from his first sergeant who was still back at Kadena Air Base, Japan, notifying him that, then, Lieutenant Wisniewski's grandfather had passed away. He said that "Wiz" had just stepped out to fly, but he caught him just as he'd strapped into the plane.

"As he was sitting in the aircraft, I told him about his grandfather, and told him that if he'd like, he could come back inside and we'd find someone else to fly the sortie," the colonel recalled. "Wiz was obviously and understandably upset at the news; however, he looked at me and he said, 'No, sir, that's not necessary. This is where I'm supposed to be.'"

"That's the thing I remember most about Wiz," the colonel continued. "He always knew where he was supposed to be. We had a T- shirt at Kadena that said, 'To kill in battle is typical, but to save in battle is extraordinary.' Wiz was certainly extraordinary. His exploits and the exploits of his comrades will live in the memory of our country, our allies, countless civilians caught in the crossfire of war for generations to come."

Lt. Col. Dan Duffy, 66th Rescue Squadron director of operations, described Captain Wisniewski as a great American, Airman and warrior, and a selfless, dedicated professional with a deep passion for the squadron's mission of saving lives.

"In officer professional development, we're taught that the hardest word to say is 'yes,'" Colonel Duffy explained. "I don't think that Dave knew the meaning of the word 'no.' There wasn't any 'can't,' 'wouldn't,' or 'shouldn't' in his vocabulary. It was always 'can do.'"

The colonel went on to tell about the last time he'd spoken with Captain Wisniewski. He said they were deployed; he was preparing to return home and Captain Wisniewski was just arriving. As they spoke, he said, the captain's eyes kept wandering over his shoulder to the mission board. Colonel Duffy said it made him smile when, after three days of travel, transitioning through 12 time zones and getting little to no rest; Captain Wisniewski turned to him and said, "Ok, let's go. I'm ready. When do I start?"

While attending the U.S. Air Force Weapons School with Captain Wisniewski in 2008, Maj. Paul Sheets said the two became friends right away.

"I immediately liked the guy," he said. "He was very passionate about the things he cared about and he was always there to support those who needed help. I'll always remember him as a friend, dedicated warrior and an amazing person who lived, and gave his life for, the mission--'these things we do, that others may live.'"

Captain Wisniewski's brother, Craig, recalled a time when, as children, their grandfather took them to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

"As we left, Dave tugged on my grandpa's shirt tail and said, 'You know what grandpa? One day I'm going to fly one of those things.'"

He said while growing up in Iowa his brother was a man with one goal--to become a pilot. He said he was so focused on that goal that he only applied to one college his senior year--The U.S. Air Force Academy.

"He was motivated and he let nothing get in his way to reach that goal," Mr. Wisniewski said. "He loved his job, the people he worked with, and believed in the motto, 'these things we do, that others may live.' He was loved by his family, his friends and his true love, Melissa."

Captain Wisniewski's motivation didn't stop when he became a pilot. His airmanship and determination not only earned him a slot at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School--he was also recognized with the school's HH-60G Outstanding Flyer Award for Class 08-B.

"Dave Wisniewski is a hero," said Lt. Col. Michael Harper, commander of the 34th Weapons Squadron, and one of the captain's former Weapons School instructors. "It is my humble honor to announce that the HH-60G Outstanding Flyer Award will be renamed the Capt. Dave Wisniewski Memorial Flying Award for all future outstanding flyers graduates."

A Funeral Mass of Resurrection will be held for Captain Wisniewski at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Iowa City, Iowa, at 10 a.m. July 24. He will be laid to rest with military honors at 11 a.m. Aug. 23 at Arlington National Cemetery.