June 9, 201015 yr Are we sure it's an HH-60? I haven't seen the type ID'd in any of the articles yet.
June 10, 201015 yr "These Things We Do, That Others May Live." Heavy hearts today... https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7146649.ece
June 10, 201015 yr God Bless those who have fallen to save others. It was a sad day for the rescue and helo community.
June 10, 201015 yr My best friend and best man in my wedding was on that helo... I won't go into anymore details obviously... My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and hope he makes a speedy recovery. Godspeed to his fallen brothers. I never felt so helpless, and as I sit in my non-disclosed location in SW Asia, I have never felt so close yet so far away.
June 11, 201015 yr DOD Identifies Air Force Casualties The Department of Defense announced today 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 Air Force Base, Nev. Staff Sgt. David C. Smith, 26, of Eight Mile, Ala., assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base. Senior Airman Benjamin D. White, 24, of Erwin, Tenn., assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Him...Him
June 11, 201015 yr Flores...and others. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.
June 11, 201015 yr https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/06/airforce_helo_crash_identifications_061010w/
June 11, 201015 yr What do you even say when a man is killed fulfilling his motto: That others may live. Him Him
June 11, 201015 yr It's really strange, because I'm not really connected to the military community yet. But a guy that was supposed to play poker with me canceled last night because he had just learned one of his best friends from HS was killed in a downed helicopter in Afghanistan. I remembered this thread and came back to look to see if it was the same incident. It is. 1st Lt. Joel C. Gentz, 25, of Grass Lake, Mich. Thoughts and prayers be with the families.
June 11, 201015 yr Thoughts and prayers to everyone in the CSAR community from all of us here at HeliOps. Just remember everyone your efforts are not in vain and they ARE appreciated by all of us out there. May they Rest in Peace and Godspeed. Ned
June 12, 201015 yr I went to Purdue wtih Joel Gentz. Even though I didn't know him for very long (he graduated a few years after me), he was one of the most impressive cadets I've ever met. I have no doubts that he was an outstanding officer and CRO. The last time I saw him was at Fairchild. He was there as part of the CRO training pipeline, and I was there for SERE. He was very excited about the job he was training for, the bros he was working with, and the prospect of making a difference in the AOR. We spoke at length about the Pilot - Rescue relationship, and the things he mentioned about his training gave me confidence that bros like him would be ready to do incredible things to save pilots who were having really bad days. Godspeed to these fine men. They will be missed. Joel: you were always hardcore and committed to excellence. Thank you for your sacrifice. Edited June 12, 201015 yr by Fury220
June 12, 201015 yr Author Despite the talibans claim I heard they have not found any evidence of a shoot-down yet. I hope big blue does an accident investigation.
June 12, 201015 yr Sorry for the repost, but this incident makes this video all the more impressive...Him Him !
June 13, 201015 yr These things we do that others may live... To the dead, to the dying, to the ones still fighting. Him Him
June 13, 201015 yr My best friend and best man in my wedding was on that helo... I won't go into anymore details obviously... My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and hope he makes a speedy recovery. Godspeed to his fallen brothers. I never felt so helpless, and as I sit in my non-disclosed location in SW Asia, I have never felt so close yet so far away. Sorry, Brother. I hope you close your eyes tonight knowing that we are with you in heart and soul, no matter where we all lay to sleep at the end of today.
June 14, 201015 yr I went to Purdue wtih Joel Gentz. Even though I didn't know him for very long (he graduated a few years after me), he was one of the most impressive cadets I've ever met. I have no doubts that he was an outstanding officer and CRO. ... Godspeed to these fine men. They will be missed. Joel: you were always hardcore and committed to excellence. Thank you for your sacrifice. I'm another one of the Purdue guys on here and Gentz was two years ahead of me. To sum it up in just a couple of words - which is just barely the surface - he was an outstanding trainer and all around great person. Here's an article from his hometown paper about him: Family of First Lt. Joel Gentz shares memories of airman who died in Afghanistan The duty that any member of the CSAR community undertakes is incredible and I truly am proud to serve with any and every one of you. Edited June 14, 201015 yr by jango220
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