NATO allies pay final respects

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erin R. Babis
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ALBACETE AIR BASE, Spain --  Two ceremonies were held at Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, to honor the 11 airmen from the Greek and French air forces who lost their lives following an aircraft crash at Tactical Leadership Programme 2015-1,  a flying training course that develops interoperability amongst NATO  allies.

During the French memorial ceremony Jan. 29, Liberty Airmen came together with military members of several NATO nations to pay their respects.

"Part of TLP's mission is to bring our NATO partners together on a single stage and train the way we fight - as a coalition," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Douglas Sirk, TLP academic and doctrine branch chief.  "Even though this flying course ended prematurely with this tragic event, it helped to further strengthen our bond between our allies in arms. These events also were able to bring closure to those personnel who worked with, socialized with, and lived near their fallen comrades."

After words of encouragement and prayers from both a Spanish priest and U.S. Air Force chaplain, Capt. James Bond, the Liberty Airmen and NATO allies carried the fallen French airmen to the aircraft that would take them home.

Family and friends, followed by all the service members in attendance, formed a procession out to the aircraft to say goodbye and to honor the fallen with a final salute. Service members from every NATO nation in attendance stood at attention in one formation as the aircraft took off for France.

"The memorial ceremony was a very somber event where everyone involved showed a significant level of strength and community with our NATO partners," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Caleb Guthmann, 492nd Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations.

The leadership program began Jan. 19. It was at the start of the second week, when the aircraft crash occurred, Jan. 26.

"Our Airmen created many new friendships that, in some cases, were tragically cut short," Guthmann said. "Going through a travesty such as this, our team here in Albacete has tightened the bonds and shown incredible fortitude and bravery in the midst of a horrible tragedy."

"Through this experience we have seen our airmen rise up in highly stressful and incomprehensible situations," Guthmann added. "They have shown amazing courage, and I could not be more proud of our 48th Fighter Wing team."

Many Liberty Airmen became heroes the day of the accident, rushing to the crash site to save the lives of fellow NATO airmen who were unable to escape on their own.

"I am very proud of our USAF team; the members who helped save people from the burning wreckage, the folks driving the injured to the hospital, the individuals carrying out my directives, the Airmen doing a head count to ensure all people were accounted for, and the volunteers who served as pall bearers and honor guard," Sirk said. "You are all heroes and I am very proud to have had you on our team that fateful Monday afternoon."