[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
HUMANITARIAN MISSION ENDS IN TRAGEDY FOR GUNSHIP CREW
______
HON. EARL HUTTO
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, April 13, 1994
Mr. HUTTO. Mr. Speaker, on March 14, 1994, an AC-130H gunship crashed
while participating in humanitarian missions in Somalia; 7 of the 14
crew members lost their lives in this crash.
I was privileged to attend a memorial service at Hurlburt Field, FL,
on March 21. The words of the airmen's commanders eloquently stated the
grief we all feel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the survivors and
families of Jockey 14.
Speech Delivered by Maj. Gen. Bruce L. Fisher on March 21, 1994, at
Memorial Service for Jockey 14
The 16th Special Operations Squadron, Jockey 14, an AC-130H
crew, part of our Air Force of first and last resort, part of
a joint special operations task force, carrying out the
wishes of our nation protecting fellow Americans during the
last days of our withdrawal from Mogadishu, Somalia. You see
there was no other aircraft or people who could do this
mission. It had to be the 16th Special Operations Squadron
and Jockey 14. American forces in Somalia counted on them and
they were there.
Families, friends, squadron mates, fellow soldiers,
sailors, airmen, and Marines, people from all over our
nation, our dear friends from our civilian communities; we
have suffered a tremendous loss. Those men we lost from the
crew of Jockey 14--Capt Anthony Stefanik, Capt David Mehlhop,
Capt Mark Quam, MSgt Roy Duncan, TSgt Robert Daniel, SSgt
Mick Moser, SSgt Brian Barnes--were the best America has to
offer. They have never let us down; they have been an honor
to our country. Today we miss them and our hearts cry out for
them.
Throughout the course of human events God blesses us with
other people in our lives. He gives us friends, coworkers and
professional associates; he give us squadron mates; he gives
us husbands and wives and sons and daughters; he gaves us
fathers and mothers; all whom we love and cherish dearly. He
gave us the crew of Jockey 14. Then sometimes during the
course of our lives those precious gifts are taken from us--
for reasons and under circumstances we may never understand.
This causes great pain even though our faith tells us God has
a greater purpose. For the Psalmist says, ``The Lord will
watch over your coming and going both now and forever more.''
(PS 121:8) and Jesus said, ``For God so loved the world that
he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.'' (John 3:16) This
loss hurts, but I cannot pretend to feel the grief and sorrow
you wives, children, mothers and fathers, and sisters and
brothers are suffering during this extremely difficult time.
We can only reach out to you and pray for you and say I am
sorry.
For us, all of us, who must carry on, we will live with the
brave legacy of Jockey 14; airmen and special operators of
the proudest tradition. We will remember the challenges they
overcame and the sacrifice they made. We must comfort our
families, support each other, and continue to answer the war
tocsin when it sounds. Ladies and gentlemen, combat units
perform well under adversity for several reasons, but the
most compelling is the bond between unit members; the love
and respect they have for each other and their refusal to let
one another down. Jockey 14 was such a crew, the 16th Special
Operations Squadron is such a unit. We must remember the men
of Jockey 14 and those who have gone before them, and we must
not let them down. Difficult yes; but with God's amazing
grace, ``He will my shield and portion be as long as life
endures.'' (Hymn ``Amazing Grace'') Jockey 14, Spectre will
be there; anytime, anyplace.
God bless you all.
____
Comments by Brig. Gen. Maxwell C. Bailey, Commander, 16th Special
Operations Wing
This morning we're gathered here to honor the memory of our
fellow airmen and friends who have made the ultimate
sacrifice in giving their lives in the service of their
country.
They were on an important mission--a mission directly
supporting and protecting American lives who were on a
humanitarian mission in Somalia. When we think of their
sacrifice, of course, the sacrifice is not theirs alone, and
we think especially today of the sacrifice of their families.
The most important thing I will tell you this morning is that
the concern and the warmth you felt from your escorts and
from the men and the families of the squadron and the wing
will not cool after today or after this week. We will
continue to be here for you and will keep you a part of the
Air Force and Special Operations community for as long as you
need us.
We're also here today to reflect on the lives of our
friends and those things that give us a common bond--their
love of country, their love of our Air Force, their pride in
being special operators and their love of flying.
The best tribute we can pay today to their memories is to
rededicate ourselves to those same values as we continue our
important mission.
Finally, we take comfort that our God has a special place
in His Kingdom for those who fly--when we are promised that
``He shall cover thee with His feathers and under His wings
shalt thou trust.''
____
Remarks for Jockey 14 Memorial, Mar. 21, 1994
(By LTC Mike Byers)
As the tragic events of this past week unfolded I wondered
what I could possibly say to ease the pain and sorrow we feel
for the loss of our comrades on Jockey 14. As I felt and
observed the anguish of the families, I realized mere words
could not ease the pain.
The men we remember today each had those qualities that
made them so capable of accomplishing the mission. These
qualities were a sense of duty, patriotism, discipline, and
self confidence. These men were tied together by a mission
and a spirit of teamwork that only those who have served in
this wing can hope to know.
Captain David J. Mehlhop, the navigator. I remember Dave as
a quiet man with a streak of mischievousness. He was
constantly giving a 100 percent effort to improve his skills
as a gunship navigator. I remember the great job Dave did as
a mission planner for our crews flying missions over Bosnia-
Herzegovina. His thoroughness helped them return safely from
their missions.
Captain Anthony R. Stefanik Jr, the fire control officer.
Tony was a family man and was a strong individual, both
mentally and physically. We often called him ``Arnold'' due
to his physique. He was one of the squadron's best fire
control officers. Tony was superb with words and I remember
his frequently staying late at work to make sure his squadron
mates's performance reports were perfect.
Captain Mark A. Quam, the electronic warfare officer. Mark
was one of the most intelligent individuals I've met. Mark's
nickname in the squadron was ``Q'', which he liked because it
was the same as a character on one of his favorite TV shows,
Star Trek--the next generation. When he wasn't reading, you
could usually find Mark playing a board game with his crew. I
would fly anywhere with Mark.
Master Sergeant Roy S. Duncan, the loadmaster. Roy boy was
a man of loyalty and character. He was absolutely tenacious
when defending the loadmaster and illuminator operator
section. I remember Roy in the operational readiness
inspection and on some missions over Bosnia-Herzegovina where
Roy frequently had to fly in the coldest part of the
airplane. On one of these missions his socks froze. Despite
suffering from the severe cold, he never left the tail of the
aircraft undefended by leaving his station. That was just the
kind of person Roy was.
Technical Sergeant Robert L. Daniel, sensor operator. I met
Bobby over 13 years ago and at that time he was a gunner. He
later crosstrained to sensor operator but I think he was
still a gunner at heart. Bobby was in the squadron since
1977, over 16 years. Whenever a challenging mission came
along I knew Bobby would somehow make sure he was on it.
Staff Sergeant Brian P. Barnes, gunner. Brian was always
very thorough in his duties and dedicated to the squadron. He
was always quiet when I was around him, but very efficient on
the airplane. I don't remember ever having a gun off the line
for more than a minute when I flew with him. Brian worked
hard in the awards and decorations section of the squadron to
make sure others got recognized for their efforts.
Staff Sergeant Mike E. Moser, gunner. Mike was interested
in everything and was so easy to get along with. He was an
expert roller skater and loved to snorkel and dive. Mike was
proud to be a gunner and he was one of the best.
The men of Jockey 14 were flying missions over Somalia they
considered routine, but they were't--these men just made it
look easy. They were there to answer the calls for help from
Americans on the ground--their presence alone ensured the
safety of Americans in Mogadishu.
While Dave, Tony, Mark, Roy, Brian, Bobby, and Mike are no
longer with us, our memories of them live on. They will
always be a part of the spirit of the 16th. Our memory of
them will forever be that of men who stepped to the front--
who answered the call of duty.
I would like to close with a message to the families of our
fallen comrades from one of the survivors of Jockey 14's
mission. It goes:
These last days have gone by seemingly as part of a dream,
wishing you could just wake up and it would be over. For
reasons only known to God, it is not so. Why God would decide
to claim the lives of those, men, all together on such a
beautiful sunny afternoon, I will never know. I do know that
they have passed to a new life, with Christ. There is no
sorrow or grief where they are. I should have been next to
go, because I was there with them in death. One cannot stand
any closer. I know, for I stood with one foot in death. I was
going to die, I had no doubt. In those last seconds God
answered a question which we all have considered, our fear of
death and how we will react. Having been there, I can answer
for my friends. Death does not hold the fear we think it
does. In that last second of lucidity, it becomes so clear,
like a window. You can see through it and there is no way
around it. God lets us stand at that portal long enough to
realize its significance, and allows us to consider. That
last second stands still, and in it, God reaches out to us
with love and forgiveness and if we accept, he takes us by
the hand as we step into that new life. In Matthew 20:1-16,
Jesus explained to his Disciples that salvation is not about
owning a lifetime membership, it is enough to accept in that
last second. I know that in that last second, each one of
those men stepped through that portal hand in hand with
Christ, no regrets and looking forward.
The memories they have left us in children, wives, and
families will be their legacy to us. I know they were sad to
leave us behind but their courage and confidence in what lay
ahead will be passed on to their children. Many people go
through an entire lifetime without ever being touched by the
lives of men like these. Even in such time of sorrow, there
is joy in having shared our lives with such brave and
wonderful men.
____________________