R.I.P. Eagle Flight
Next week is the 23th anniversary of a sad and costly loss that stabbed our country from Northern Iraq.
US Military:
SSG Paul Barclay (SF Commo NCO)
SPC Cornelius A. Bass (Eagle-1 Door Gunner)
SPC Jeffrey C. Colbert (Eagle-1 Crew Chief)
SPC Mark A. Ellner (Eagle-2 Door Gunner)
CW2 John W. Garrett, Jr. (Eagle-1 Pilot)
CW2 Michael A. Hall (Eagle-2 Pilot Command)
SFC Benjamin T. Hodge (Linguist)
CPT Patrick M. McKenna (Eagle-1 Pilot Command)
WO1 Erik S. Mounsey (Eagle-2 Pilot)
COL Richard A. Mulhern (Incoming Co-Commander)
1LT Laurie A. Piper (USAF, Intel Officer)
SGT Michael S. Robinson (Eagle-2 Crew Chief)
SSG Ricky L. Robinson (SF Medic)
Ms. Barbara L. Schell (State Dept. Political Advisor)
COL Jerald L. Thompson (Outgoing Co-Commander)
British Military:
MAJ Harry Shapland (Security/Intel Duty Officer)
LTC Jonathan C. Swann (Senior UK Officer)
French Military:
LTC Guy Demetz (Senior French Officer)
Turkish Army:
COL Hikmet Alp (Co-Commander)
LT Ceyhun Civas (Laison Officer)
LT Barlas Gultepe (Liason Officer)
Kurdish Partisans:
Abdulsatur Arab
Ghandi Hussein
Bader Mikho
Ahmad Mohammed
Salid Said (Linguist)
Two years ago, on April 14, 1994, twenty-six people lost their lives in a tragic accident on a mission of great compassion. Now, in Giebelstadt, Germany, we celebrate the lives of those who perished and dedicate a monument to their memory. The loss of these men and women is still fresh in the hearts of their families and their fellow citizens, and we honor their sacrifice.
We joined with Britain and France and Turkey to protect the Kurds in northern Iraq, to shelter them from air attacks, to sustain them with food and fuel, clothing and medicine. Our mission was one of caring and hope, and the lives of the fifteen Americans and their eleven compatriots reflected its selfless purpose.
As we dedicate this monument to the service and memory of those who perished, let us rededicate ourselves to the cause for which they worked and died. And let our vigilance, compassion, and resolve to continue their task be a living and lasting memorial to them all.
Best wishes for a memorable ceremony.
(signed: Bill Clinton)
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There is a book: Friendly Fire: The Accidental Shootdown of U.S. Black Hawks over Northern Iraq
