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ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Fighter Wing remembered the loss of U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Taj Sareen, an F/A-18C pilot, who died tragically when his jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England one year ago today, Oct. 21.
Doug McDonald, a Lakenheath community member and avid aviation enthusiast, presented a wreath at RAF Lakenheath’s memorial park to honor Maj. Sareen’s memory.
“When he arrived with his colleagues, they were good enough to come and see us (the enthusiasts), at the fence line. We were all taking photographs and he gave us the time to talk to us,” McDonald said. “We started a collection for these flowers, and it's an honor to actually remember him today on behalf of the UK aviation enthusiasts, and for the Liberty Airmen, as well for what you do.”
Sareen, a pilot with the Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 232, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., was returning with his squadron after their six-month deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
"Maj. Sareen was a fantastic pilot, and a loving father who spoke with his daughter daily on deployment," said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Allen Szczepek, VMFA-232 executive officer at the time of the incident.
Though not a Liberty Airman, Sareen will always be considered part of the extended 48th Fighter Wing family. The tragedy that occurred on Oct. 21, 2015, will forever leave a mark on the hearts of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 and RAF Lakenheath community.
*Editor’s note: to read more about the loss of Maj. Sareen, visit these links:
http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/727601/update-usmc-identifies-pilot-killed-in-fa-18c-crash
http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/727535/gone-not-forgotten-daughter-receives-gift-from-fallen-father
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2016 04:34 |
| Story ID: | 216215 |
| Location: | GB |
| Web Views: | 74 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Lakenheath community remembers fallen Marine, by MSgt Matthew Plew, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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