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TACPs remember fallen brothers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jeff Parkinson
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Members of the Tactical Air Control Party schoolhouse memorialized fallen TACP brothers during a ceremony Oct. 9 at Hurlburt Field.

The TACP Association hosted the Sixth Annual TACP Memorial Ceremony to honor those who lost their lives in combat and training.

“Every year we gather to honor the fallen,” said Charlie Keebaugh, TACP Association president. “It’s important to honor their sacrifice and to show their families we will always remember them, and to show the new students the culture they’re about to step into.”

The ceremony brought Airman Basic Hunter Holder, Detachment 3, 342nd Training Squadron TACP candidate, to tears.

“It’s an emotional time,” Holder said. “My dad was with the 82nd Airborne Division and it really touches my heart knowing he has been through stuff like this.”

Some families of the fallen TACP members were in attendance and were recognized during the ceremony.

This year four names were added to the memorial: Staff Sgt. Andre Berkley, Staff Sgt. Brian Daly, Staff Sgt. Jason Faley and Master Sgt. Josh Gavulic.

Col. Joseph Locke, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing commander, spoke during the ceremony.

“The TACPs are a unique breed; a distinctive blend of air power experts, hardened soldiers and communication specialists,” said Locke. “[They are] strong willed, fiercely independent and infinitely proud of their chosen profession.”

This is the last year the TACP Memorial Ceremony will be held at Hurlburt Field, the TACP schoolhouse will be relocating to Lackland Air Force Base Training Annex in Texas.