Squadron continues tradition, honors fallen comrades

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The crew of GOOSE99 poses for a photo with the memorial wreath on the back of a 1st Special Operations Squadron MC-130H Combat Talon II here Feb. 26 before flying a memorial flight to honor fallen brethren that were lost 28 years ago when a 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign STRAY59, crashed during an exercise killing eight crew members and 15 passengers. The crew of GOOSE99 flew from here to reach the exact coordinates of the crash site to release the ceremonial wreath. The memorial flight has been flown every year since the tragic accident in 1981. The crew members of GOOSE99 are (from left to right): Back row: Capt. Houston Hodgkinson, Staff Sgt. Matthew Furtick, Maj. John Rensel, Staff Sgt. Christopher DeAngelis, and Capt. Richard Obert. Front row: Capt. Andrew Payne, Staff Sgt. Nicholas Adams, and Staff Sgt. Steve Presler. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

PHOTO BY: Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram

VIRIN: 090226-F-3695C-005.JPG

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