Florida Airmen Remembered

  • Published
  • By Capt Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Airmen and friends of the 920th Rescue Wing here paid respects to five coworkers who were killed in the 1996 bombing of Khobar Towers in a small informal ceremony here today.

"Twelve years ago today we lost 19 Airmen. This memorial is for them and their families," said Tech. Sgt. Robert Hudgins (Ret.) in wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial built in honor of the fallen Airmen.

Two pilots, a radio operator, a flight engineer and a loadmaster all members of the former 1st Rescue Group, an active duty rescue unit based here which has since moved away.

The harsh sun and ocean salt air have faded the faces of these Airmen engraved on a row of five metal plates affixed to a cement wall, but the memory of them remains strong as several Airmen who served with them shared memories of the tragedy.

"It was a cowardly attack," said Sergeant Hudgins (Ret.). 

On June 25, 1996, per official statement, individuals identified as members of Hizballah Al-Hijaz by the U.S. exploded a fuel truck near an eight-story building which housed U.S. Air Force personnel from the 4404th Wing (Provisional), primarily from the 1sth Rescue group and a deployed fighter squadron. 

In all, 19 U.S. servicemen and one Saudi were killed and 372 of many nationalities were wounded. 

"Five from our family here," said Sergeant Hudgins (Ret.).

They are:  
Master Sgt. Michael G. Heiser, Palm Coast, Fla.
Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Johnson, Shreveport, La.
AIC Justin R. Wood, Modesto, Calif.
Capt. Christopher J. Adams, Massapequa Park, N.Y
Capt. Leland T.Haun, Clovis, Calif. 

The 920th RW is an Air Force Reserve combat search and rescue unit which performs more than 20 percent of the Air Force's CSAR mission. The Wing is comprised of 1,500 Airmen and flies both fixed and rotor wing aircraft: the HC-130P/N extended-range Hercules and the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.

More information on the 920th Rescue Wing is available on the wing's official site: www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil.