Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

A U.S. Air Force 58th Rescue Squadron command team carries the memorial of Capt. Joel Gentz to a HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, parked at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada, April 23, 2025. The memorial was taken to the 351st Special Warfare Center in Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, to honor the Gentz’s sacrifices and inspire future leaders. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

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Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

A U.S. Air Force 58th Rescue Squadron command team carries the memorial of Capt. Joel Gentz to the flight line at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada, April 23, 2025. 58th RQS leadership honored Gentz’s sacrifice by traveling with his memorial to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, where it is being relocated. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

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Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Edson, right, 58th Rescue Squadron (RQS) commander, delivers a speech in honor of Capt. Joel Gentz outside of the Gentz Memorial Schoolhouse at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 23, 2025. Gentz is remembered by current rescue Airmen as an inspiration to their motto, “courage and honor.” (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

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Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

A U.S. Air Force 58th Rescue Squadron command team carries the memorial of Capt. Joel Gentz past 58th RQS members at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 23, 2025. Gentz lost his life on a mission in Afghanistan while saving others, embodying the RQS motto, “courage and honor.” (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

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Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

A wooden box containing the memorial of U.S. Air Force Capt. Joel Gentz sits on the steps of the Gentz Memorial Schoolhouse at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 23, 2025. Gentz posthumously earned a Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal for his military service in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

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Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J, assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron (RQS), prepares to taxi at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada, April 23, 2025. Airmen from the 58th RQS and the 79th RQS worked together to safely deliver the Gentz memorial to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

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Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

A wooden box containing a memorial dedicated to U.S. Air Force Capt. Joel Gentz in an HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron (RQS), at Nellis Air Force Base(AFB), Nevada, April 23, 2025. 58th RQS and 79th RQS Airman coordinated to deliver the Gentz memorial to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

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Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Rinadli, left, and Airman 1st Class Trenton Grace, 79th Rescue Squadron special missions aviators, secure a wooden box containing a memorial dedicated to Capt. Joel Gentz in an HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada, April 23, 2025. The Gentz memorial was sent to the 351st Special Warfare Center in Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, to inspire future pararescuemen and combat rescue officers. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

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Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

A U.S. Air Force 58th Rescue Squadron command team carries the memorial of Capt. Joel Gentz to a HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron parked at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 23, 2025. For his selfless military service on a rescue mission in Afghanistan, Gentz posthumously earned a Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

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Capt. Joel Gentz Memorial Sent from Nellis to Kirtland AFB

Published May 1, 2025
By Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders
57th Wing Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --

Airmen from the 58th RQS and the 79th RQS worked together to safely deliver the Capt. Joel Gentz memorial to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. The Gentz memorial was sent to the 351st Special Warfare Center in Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, to inspire future pararescuemen and combat rescue officers. 58th RQS leadership honored Gentz’s sacrifice by traveling with his memorial to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, where it is being relocated.