Photo By Master Sgt. Alexandre Montes | Lt. Col. Laura Bunyan, 94th Intelligence Squadron commander, gives opening remarks and...... read more read more
On Feb. 5, 1973, eight Airmen set out on a mission to locate tanks along the Ho Chi Min trail. Those Airmen lost their lives aboard Baron 52, the last EC-47Q lost during the Vietnam War.
The crew of eight were assigned to Detachment 3, 6994th Security Squadron, and the 361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron.
Those Airmen’s heritage is being commemorated by the 94th Intelligence Squadron at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
Since 2014, the Airmen of the 94th IS have invited Vietnam Veteran Airmen from the 6994th SS and 361st TEWS to a commemoration ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. to honor those who sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War.
“There were numerous sacrifices of these brave Airmen, as part of their mission being above the combat zone. ‘Alone, unarmed and unafraid,’ they had the highest casualty rate in the Security Services,” said Lt. Col. Laura Bunyan, 94th IS commander. “Today, the men and women of the 94th IS pay tribute to those who came before us and pledge to always remember the sacrifices of 6994th SS, to include the crews of TIDE 86, CAP 72, PRONG 33, CAP 53, BARON 56 and BARON 52.”
Buynan explained that the current Airmen are somberly reminded of their predecessor’s sacrifices and honored to have the Veterans among them for the annual commemoration.
The guest speaker for this year’s commemoration was retired Master Sgt. Joe Martin, formerly of the 6994th SS and a Morse Code operator.
Martin explained to attendees the significance of Security Service Airmen’s missions.
The operations conducted through intelligence and signals collection was to provide crucial information to stop enemy forces, he said, pointing out the similarities to the current mission of the 94th IS.
“Today, there is a war going on that started way before 9/11, and there is no end in sight,” Martin said. “The 94th IS and similar units are our first line of defense in that conflict. Carrying out that mission, you’ve enriched a heritage going far beyond the 6994th SS and its’ war.”
Beginning with Security Service, Electronic Security Command, Air Intelligence Agency and now 25th Air Force, Martin said today’s 94th IS Airmen are the latest in a long line of silent warriors who labor in the shadows on signals intelligence.
As he closed out his remarks, Martin further commended the Airmen of the 94th IS.
“It can be a tough, and often a thankless job,” he said. “Just as we did in that other war so long ago, you’ll do it and will do it well.”
Closing out the ceremony, Buynan and Martin laid a wreath alongside the tomb that honors the Airmen of BARON 52.
Shortly after, the names of those killed in action aboard BARON 52 were spoken by 2nd Lt. Erica Volino, 94th IS, and a moment of silence was observed.
“From the 361st TEWS, Capt. George R. Spitz, pilot; 1st Lt. Servero Primm III, co-pilot; Capt. Arthur Bollinger, navigator; 1st Lt. Robert E. Bernhardt, third pilot and from the 6994th SS, Staff Sgt. Todd M. Melton, airborne cryptologic linguist; Sergeant Joseph A. Matejov, airborne Morse systems operator; Sergeant Peter R. Cressman, airborne Morse systems operator; Sergeant Dale Brandenburg, airborne electronic warfare systems operator.”
| Date Taken: | 05.10.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2017 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 233851 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 499 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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