U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets and Air Force special operators hailed the memory of a 2010 Academy graduate and Silver Star recipient here March 30 who died in an inside-attack in Afghanistan.
The more than 150 special operators joined cadets in dedicating a memorial to Capt. Matthew Roland and doing push-ups in formation to honor the former Cadet Squadron 35 member’s military service.
The cadets and operators completed each pushup by yelling “One for Captain Matthew Roland.”
Master Sgt. Jared Hodges, a special operator on Roland’s team, called his team leader a “titan.”
“Captain Roland’s tactical knowledge was unmatched, whether talking close air support doctrine or how to maneuver a force on the battlefield,” he said.
Roland, 27, was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida. He was killed by gunfire Aug. 26, 2015, when two men wearing Afghan Security Forces uniforms fired on the convoy he led near Camp Antonik, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He posthumously received the Silver Star medal for trying to save his teammates and giving convoy personnel time to react to the attack.
“Matt remains one of the most excellent human beings I’ve ever met,” said 23rd STS commander, Lt. Col. Paul Brister, at the event. “Physically, he didn’t just run with the guys; he led them. Intellectually, he understood operational art and military theory beyond his years. He was compassionate. You could call him from anywhere in the world, and he would drop what he was doing to help.”
Maj. Jennifer Alickson, air officer commanding for CS 35, said the memorial is meant to inspire cadets to a deeper understanding of service before self, an Air Force core value.
"We are honored to share this day with Captain Roland's family, his teammates, and the long line of CS 35 Wild Weasels who stand-side-by side in honoring his legacy,” she said. “This memorial display is a physical reminder of our commitment to remember those who made, and will make, the ultimate sacrifice for their nation."
Cadet First Class Terry Lee, commander of CS 35, said Roland embodied the character all cadets should emulate.
“There’s a duty and responsibility to educate others about a member of our family,” he said. “Captain Roland is an individual we strive to emulate. It’s powerful to see what happens when you uphold the ideals we honor at the Academy.”
The memorial can be seen outside Roland’s former dormitory room in CS 35 containing the Kevlar helmet he wore on three missions and other personal items. It was designed to match memorials for two other special tactics officers and Academy graduates killed in action in 2005, Capts. Derek Argel and Jeremy Fresques.
Roland graduated from the Academy with a bachelor of science in aeronautical engineering.
“I will forever miss my leader and my friend,” Hodges said. “Rest easy, brother. Your fight is over.”