Nellis, D-M Airmen lost, wounded in Afghanistan Published June 13, 2010 By 23rd Wing Public Affairs MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Four Airmen were killed and three were wounded when their aircraft, an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, crashed in southeastern Afghanistan June 9. The Airmen were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and were responsible for casualty evacuation. Killed were: 1st Lt. Joel C. Gentz, 25, of Grass Lake, Mich., assigned to the 58th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The lieutenant served as a combat rescue officer and was on his first deployment with more than 50 hours of combat time. Staff Sgt. David C. Smith, 26, of Eight Mile, Ala., assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB. A decorated Airman during his seven-year career, Sergeant Smith earned five Air Medals as a veteran of numerous deployments in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Tech. Sgt. Michael P. Flores, 31, of San Antonio, Texas, assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Sergeant Flores was serving on his eighth deployment as a pararescuman. He had previously been stationed at Nellis AFB and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism, 12 Air Medals, and was one day shy of serving 12 years in the Air Force. Senior Airman Benjamin D. White, 24, of Erwin, Tenn., assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB. Airman White served nearly four years in the Air Force and was on his first deployment as a pararecuman, dedicating himself to answering the call to recover the wounded as well as downed and injured aircrew members in austere and non-permissive environments. The three wounded Airmen are assigned to the 66th RQS at Nellis AFB and were medevaced to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for treatment. The Airmen and aircraft involved were all part of the 23rd Wing's 563rd Rescue Group, a geographically-separated unit headquartered at Davis-Monthan AFB with an operating location at Nellis AFB. "Our hearts go out to the families of these brave Americans, and we express our deepest condolences to them," said Col. Gary Henderson, 23rd Wing commander. "All seven Airmen involved in this incident embody the rescue motto 'These things we do, that others may live,' and were on a life-saving mission. These Airmen and their other rescue teammates are highly trained to perform life-saving missions in various situations. Protecting our nation's sons and daughters is a sacred trust and we take that responsibility seriously." Nellis, Davis-Monthan and Moody Air Force Bases will hold separate memorial services. "All seven Airmen were serving their country with distinction," said Lt. Col. James McElhenney, deputy commander of the 563rd Rescue Group and the senior officer for combat search and rescue operations at Nellis AFB. "I would ask that you keep them, their loved ones, their Air Force family and their friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time." The cause of the accident is under investigation. (Nellis Public Affairs contributed to this report)
