PJ24
Active member
6/11/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Department of Defense officials announced June 9 the deaths of four Airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died June 9, near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan, in a helicopter crash.
Killed were:
--Staff Sgt. Michael P. Flores, 31, of San Antonio, Texas, assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
--1st Lt. Joel C. Gentz, 25, of Grass Lake, Mich., assigned to the 58th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
--Staff Sgt. David C. Smith, 26, of Eight Mile, Ala., assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB.
--Senior Airman Benjamin D. White, 24, of Erwin, Tenn., assigned to the 48th RQS, Davis-Monthan AFB.
The helo was shot down.
Mike Flores and Ben White were PJs, Joel Gentz was a CRO, Dave Smith was an FE. Joel is the first CRO to be killed during combat or training, a sad milestone for the CRO careerfield.
Mike was a great guy and stellar PJ and will truly be missed. Everything I know of David and Joel were all positive as well. This is a tragic loss for our community as well as the RQS community as a whole.
RIP brothers.
Three PJs in the follow bird were able to rescue the pilot, co-pilot and AG from the burning wreckage while continuing to take hostile fire, their condition is critical at this time.