Davis-Monthan remembers fallen pararescuemen

Published June 14, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Gathered outside the 48th Rescue Squadron, members of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., quietly sit in a somber state as everyone waits for the ceremony to start.

The ceremony was to honor two fallen D-M Airmen, Tech. Sgt. Michael Flores and Senior Airman Benjamin White, pararescuemen with the 48th RS, who made the ultimate sacrifice during their deployment in Afghanistan June 9, 2010.

Along with Sergeant Flores and Airman White, Capt. David Wisniewski, 1st Lt. Joel Gentz and Staff Sgt. David Smith were also killed. Capt. Anthony Simone and Master Sgt. Christopher Aquilera were injured.

One year ago, Air Force combat search and rescue aircrafts, call signs Pedro 66 and Pedro 67, departed from Campt Bastion in southern Afghanistan. Their mission, like many missions before, was to extract service members from battle. On their third alert of the day, the injured was a British Marine. Upon arriving on scene, Pedro 66 and 67 began taking enemy fire, which resulted in damage to Pedro 66's tail rotor. Pedro 66 attempted to fly away from attacking enemy forces to prevent additional injuries; however, after clearing the landing zone and surrounding civilian houses, Pedro 66 lost control and crashed.

Sergeant Flores and Airman White's families, loved ones and friends came out to the ceremony as well as other D-M Airmen to pay their respects and honor the fallen pararescuemen.

"Today we will pay tribute to two pararescuemen, warriors and fellow Airmen, who made the ultimate sacrifice and commitment to their country, and the defense of our nation, so others may live," said Capt. Stephen Colletti, the master of ceremonies and member of the 48th RQS.

Col. John Cherrey, 355th Fighter Wing commander and former 451st Expeditionary Operations Group commander in Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, was the deployed group commander for Sergeant Flores and Airman White. He reflected on the day of the mission.

"I'll never forget the call I received about Pedro 66," Colonel Cherrey said. "I sat in shock for quite some time trying to understand the circumstances, why that mission and about the friends and families it would affect. I didn't have answers to those questions, but I did know they were doing what every ground commander out there needed of them. They were bravely going to an area they knew was dangerous, and they did it like they did so many other missions that we ask of them -- so that others may live."

The names of the two Airmen will not soon be forgotten. In honor of Sergeant Flores and Airman White, two streets were named on D-M to serve as a constant reminder of their sacrifice.

"Today's date reminds us of the piercing pain we all receive with this tragic event," said Lt. Col. Jason Pifer, 48th RS commander. "But it's also a date we need to use to remind ourselves of the heroes who are no longer with us in person, but permanently live in our hearts. In addition to the streets signs, a memorial pedestal and plaque can be found on the base etched with their names for all to see.

Along with the street dedication, a memorial and plague can be found on base with their names permanently etched in history.

"Almost one year ago today, we were gathered here at D-M for a much different ceremony in honor of Flo and Ben and the pain of losing them was much more recent in our memories," said Col. Billy Thompson, 563rd Rescue Group commander. "Today we gather here to fulfill a promise most of us in the rescue community made that day, the promise that we would never forget Flo and Ben and that their legacy would live with us forever. Today, as each of you have the opportunity to view the dedicated pedestal and as you leave here today via Mike Flores street or Ben White street, be very thankful that we have men like Sergeant Flores and Airman White and that we have families like the Flores family and the White family that raised selfless men that loved not only their families, but their country and their fellow man. Be thankful that they had wives, girlfriends and friends that shared them with all of us."