UPDATE: USAFE Airmen killed in shooting were from Ramstein, Lakenheath

News > UPDATE: USAFE Airmen killed in shooting were from Ramstein, Lakenheath

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• GENERAL MARK A. WELSH III

UPDATE: USAFE Airmen killed in shooting were from Ramstein, Lakenheath

Posted 3/3/2011 Updated 3/3/2011

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U.S. Air Forces in Europe

3/3/2011 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- One of the Airmen killed in yesterday's shooting at Frankfurt International Airport was a vehicle operator stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, while the other Airman killed was part of a Security Forces team stationed at RAF Lakenheath, U.K.

The two injured Airmen are being treated at a German hospital in Frankfurt. As of this afternoon, one was in critical condition and the other was in serious condition.

The shooting took place yesterday afternoon on a U.S. Air Force bus outside Terminal 2 of Frankfurt International Airport.

The bus was transporting a 15-member Security Forces team from the airport to Ramstein Air Base. They were on their way to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those Airmen who were killed and wounded in yesterday's attack," said Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. "We are working closely with German authorities to fully investigate this incident. Despite this terrible tragedy, we believe Germany is a safe place for our Airmen and their families to live and work."

German authorities have the alleged shooter in custody.

The names of the deceased are being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin.

For more information, please contact the USAFE Public Affairs operations division at 0637-1476558 or by e-mail at usafe.pao@ramstein.af.mil.

Comments

3/5/2011 2:08:04 AM ET
@SMSgt Teesdale, with all due respect, sir, I beg to differ... What you imply is like saying let's swim in an ocean with predators... Oh, we know there's sharks in the area, just be cautious and alert.... NO, that is NOT the case in this situation. Our leaders should be held responsible for the lives of these Airmen. We all should be prepared for the unexpected. I believe you need more than just coffee to realize what is going on. Leaders need to realize the dangers out there and the safety of our troops and their families. Hypocritical, if you ask me. Enough said.

Senior, Airman

3/4/2011 12:30:12 PM ET
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the fallen and injured Airmen.This was truly a sad day for our Air Force. God, I ask you to please help the families of our Airmen and keep all our Airmen safe from harm. Gold Star Dad of Air Force Special Agent Matthew J. Kuglics.

Les Kuglics, Ohio

3/4/2011 10:33:41 AM ET
Being deployed multiple times via both commercial and military aircraft I am shocked at this tragedy and that is hasn't happened sooner. What sense does it make to take annual training on ATFP training if all we do is make ourselves targets with predictable behavior and movement like this? Sitting in a bus waiting at a terminal that is scheduled by the way and making it known of where personnel are coming/going are all violations of what we are taught. This could've been avoided in so many ways. I am always suspicious of ports of travel since 9/11 even more so since I have been in the military. And to now think especialy when I am in uniform even I have to trust my mode of travel given to me by the AF even though I know it could be done safer and more securely. But, no, this method is cheaper. I wonder who's reaping the savings now? Something to think about. . .

JC, Currently Deployed

3/4/2011 10:11:26 AM ET
Little info for CD WA - they were going to the commercial terminal at Frankfurt because Rhein Main AB CLOSED in 2005 and the contracted Air Lines like ATA, Monarch, Flying Tigers etc., AKA The Freedom bird, have been cancelled to save money. Thoughts and prayers to families of the wounded and fallen.

Ret TSgt Jonesy, Virgina

3/4/2011 9:59:37 AM ET
All...the bus has very little to do with the incident. First, there were 15 members dressed in civies each carrying 3 4 or 5 military bags AND a gun case. Everyone who has visions knows a crowd like this is US military. I've made that same trip twice carry those same bags. Second, the shooter worked at the airport and KNEW US military traveled through there daily. Yes FP measures need to be examined but it was no because of the color of the bus.

RH, LA

3/4/2011 9:42:30 AM ET
This was a shock to hear and couldn't believe it when I heard it happened. My prayers and thoughts are with the families during this difficult time. I know our Air Force family will do our best to assist in helping these families get through this. I hope we can find a way to prevent this from happening in the future, better prepare ourselves and be more vigilant. We should never forget that there are people out there watching our every moves.

Michael S, Frankfurt IAP AMT

3/4/2011 7:37:57 AM ET
When I first heard of this I imagined the Airmen being friendly and kind as are all the Airmen I have met. That open friendliness may have been the avenue to their death. How cruel. My heart goes out to all Airmen in harms way.

Lynn, Maryland

3/4/2011 4:25:07 AM ET
Please stop the blame game folks. We, at least I, can speak for USAF. Airmen are pretty damn good about being conscientious of force protection. Your mouth should be spouting at those who execute terrorist and/or terrorist-like activities such as this one. Wake up smell the coffee. To the victims...my thoughts are with you and your family.

SMSgt Teesdale, Africa

3/4/2011 1:23:19 AM ET
It is evident that Force Protection procedures went out the window completely and instead --- the enemy was able to gain access to our personnel. Why weren't armed guards posted on this bus and why was that door opened without valid I.D. check It's also widely known that because of these transport situations - Americans are sitting ducks at rally points without any security. If you won't fly them from point to point via military then it is imperative to add armed security forces to thwart a situation like this from ever happening again. Please provide secure and safe transport for our military.

B.A., NJ

3/3/2011 11:36:27 PM ET
I recently deployed from RAF Lakenheath and was astounded when I found out my colleague and I would be taking commerical aircraft. I was even more astounded when I met someone deploying from Mildenhall on the same plane. I still don't understand why they don't fly us from Mildenhall to Ramstein.

S.C., RAF Lakenheath

3/3/2011 8:21:01 PM ET
In my thoughts and prayers, brothers.

Les Nadon, Cheyenne WY

3/3/2011 5:03:23 PM ET
Their families are in my prayers.

Sylvester Boylen, RAF Lakenheath

3/3/2011 4:30:30 PM ET
I agree with RB. In this day in age force protection and situational awareness are a must. Simply being an American makes us targets. Being American Airmen make us even greater targets. Force protection is drilled in from day one in basic training until the day we leave the service to be aware of force protection, yet no one expects to be attacked on a bus on their way to deploy. It's always a sad day when we lose an Air Force brother, and doubly so when we lose them as senselessly as this. Our hearts go out to those struck by this tragedy.

Will M., The University of Mississippi

3/3/2011 4:03:09 PM ET
Sad day. A sure failure of force protection and the unneeded use of commercial aircraft to move military personal. They couldn't drive 10 miles to Mildenhall and catch a military flight to the Air Force side of Frankfurt airport or to Ramstein Air Base direct?

CD, WA

3/3/2011 3:52:58 PM ET
My prayers go out to all in the military who serve our country, and now especially to those who have been taken from us and to the wounded. Our men and women are trained in using their weapons so they should be allowed to carry them when traveling since we know we probably are targets anyway. They protect us so let them protect themselves as well while overseas.

Jimmy P., Garland TX

3/3/2011 3:08:00 PM ET
Great observation R.B., totally agree. I was outraged when I heard this. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who were taken in this event, those who are in critical condition, and for security forces Airmen across the force. Thanks for your service, Defenders.V/R Lt Bennett

William Bennett, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

3/3/2011 2:52:33 PM ET
Where was anti-terrorism force protection on this one? Frankfurt International Airport is a nightmare waiting to happen. Pray for those Airmen still in the hospital.

John, SWA

3/3/2011 2:28:18 PM ET
Review all the Force Protection procedures you want but without leadership nothing will happen. There may be a band-aid fix for a few months up to a couple of years. But after that lax procedures will again become the rule and not the exception.

Robert Lepper, Carlsbad CA

3/3/2011 2:03:11 PM ET
I agree with you, R. B. RANDOLPH AFB TX.

glenn, paragould ar. 72450

3/3/2011 1:13:52 PM ET
i used to travel that route and pick up people at the airport but in a marked car. now i believe that these buses need to be escorted by armed guards just like brinks gurds do with the money. people are worth more than money

ray, miami

3/3/2011 12:27:48 PM ET
Seems Force Protection procedures need to be examined. The annual auxiliary training test instructs us to be conspicuous and vary our times and routes of travel etc. Given that it makes no sense to provide a big blue bus and park it at the same time same place a few times a week. We have all deployed and been on that bus. It pains me to say this incident was just a matter of time and could have been worse. My deepest sympathies are with those Airmen and their families. Please look at this issue.

R.B., Randolph AFB TX

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