CSTC-A dedicates building to fallen airman

Courtesy Photo | Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Farrington reads the closing remarks at a March 2 dedication ceremony for Air Force Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie, who was killed in action in July 2007 while serving as an embedded training team senior mentor with the Afghan national army 207th Corps in Herat. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer Timothy Newborn)  

03.02.2008

Courtesy Story

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

By Seaman Timothy Newborn
Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan Public Affairs

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan — Fellow airmen as well as Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians, gathered to dedicate the Gillespie House, March 2, to honor a fallen airman.

Air Force Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie, a fuels specialist assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., was deployed as the embedded training team senior mentor with the Afghan National Army 207th Corps, Camp Zafar, Herat, Afghanistan. He died on July 09, 2007, from fatal wounds sustained from small arms fire.

The 44-year-old Colorado Springs, Colo., native joined the Air Force in 1983. Gillespie filled more than eight different mission-critical assignments during his career, including Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, where he was recognized as the 1999 Fuels Flight Non-commissioned Officer Professional Provider of the Year.

During his last assignment at Luke Air Force Base, Gillespie and his crew were named the "Best Fuels Management Flight in the Air Force" of 2005.

"As you can see, Master Sgt. Gillespie lived the Air Force core value of service before self ...," said guest speaker Maj. Gen. Robert Cone, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan commanding general. "His fellow airmen have described him in a word as 'awesome, a professional in every sense of the word.' He took incredible pride in mentoring Afghan national army personnel," said Cone.

During the ceremony, Air Force Capt. Jennifer Mack sang the national anthem and the official Air Force song. She said, "It was an honor to take part in his remembrance."

A plaque displaying Gillespie's biography, accomplishments and names of his family members will adorn the new Gillespie House, which is living quarters for service members stationed at Camp Eggers.

Over the years, Gillespie earned a collection of distinguished medals and awards and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

Cone read a letter from Gillespie's widow, Lisa Gillespie, who wrote, "He truly was a special man ... and I so very much appreciate the remembrances and the tributes you are putting in place for him."

"Randy was a very nice, approachable guy. He definitely had an impact beyond his rank," said Air Force Col. Frank Heinsohn, who trained alongside Gillespie at Fort Riley, Kan., while preparing for his recent deployment.

"He will be remembered for his service to his country and his contributions to a democratic Afghanistan," Cone said.

His work will be continued by all the Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and civilians of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan that pass through the doors of the house that now bears his name.

• Date Taken: 03.02.2008
• Date Posted: 03.03.2008 10:31
• Story ID: 16933