Wing mourns loss of Gunfighter, friend

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  The 366th Fighter Wing paused to honor the memory of a sergeant from the 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron who drowned in Mountain Home July 4.

As Amazing Grace played in the background, the family of Master Sgt. Richard Caron, 41, was escorted into Hangar 1331 while the base honor guard ceremoniously placed the sergeant's ashes on a fireplace mantel next to a picture of his wedding day to Tina on his right and a picture of a family vacation to his left.

Sergeant Caron enlisted in the Air Force May 19, 1989. Throughout his career, Sergeant Caron served at Lowry AFB, Colo.; Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea; Nellis AFB, Nev.; Spangdahlem AB, Germany; Luke AFB, Ariz.; Osan AB for a second time and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, before coming to Mountain Home.

Sergeant Caron's friends, co-workers and family remembered him for his great attitude, wonderful sense of humor, love of life and dependability.

"As we stumble through life, we occasionally run into someone special, someone who has an inner light that is brighter than most. Rich was one of those people for me," said Master Sgt. Timothy Anders, 390th Aircraft Maintenance Unit program chief, in a statement read by Tech. Sgt. Mark Pastian. "He was a light in the darkness of my life and the lives of those he touched. He was my friend, my comrade, my brother. I love you Rich; you are the brother that I've always wished for."

"As a quality assurance inspector, Rich singlehandedly took on more than 33 percent of last year's many operational TDYs," said Lt. Col. Luis Gallegos, 366th AMXS commander, while fighting to maintain his military bearing. "Rich deployed as a lone quality inspector supporting maintenance operations on many of our Operation Noble Eagle missions. He was not only vital to the quality of aircraft maintenance but he helped ensure security for the president of the United States."

What really hit home for the commander was when he walked through the squadron to talk to his troops and stopped to talk to Tech. Sgt. Keith White.

"What do I do now?" said Sergeant White, 390th AMU swing shift expeditor who has conducted shift turnover with Sergeant Caron every night.

"The military was Rich's life," said Lisa Becker, as tears ran down her face. "As a boy, he knew he would serve his country. He was proud to call himself an Airman in the United States Air Force.

"There are several people that have been helpful to us over the past week," continued Mrs. Becker. "Not being too familiar with military protocol, this is well beyond our expectations. As I look around at all of you and everything you have done for our family, we are overwhelmed with gratitude. We give thanks to the honor you have bestowed upon my brother. There are no words that can describe how honored we are by the way you have taken care of him and us."

Sergeant Caron's awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

He is survived by his wife Tina, his brothers Bill and David Caron, his sister Lisa Becker, his nephews Jonathan and Thomas Caron and Ryan Becker and his niece Rachel Becker.