A March to Remember

SOUTH AFRICA

02.18.2021

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Randi Brown 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii

Nine years ago, four Airmen died near Chabelley Airfeld in Djibouti: U.S. Air Force Capt. Ryan Hall, Capt. Nicholas Whitlock, 1st Lt. Justin Wilkens and Senior Airman Julian Scholten. Lt. Col Nick Wabeke, friend of Capt. Whitlock and Capt. Hall, led a ceremony and honor ruck march in their honor on Thursday, Feb 18, 2021, nine years after the day of their passing.
“Ryan taught me to fly the U-28 and the finer points of short field takeoffs. He was a mentor. And, despite there being an air of bravado about being in Special Operations, he always added a certain levity to a situation, he was so very funny. Nick was a man of faith, dedicated to the mission and his fiancé, Ashley. He wanted to be the best husband he could be -- and often asked me for advice.
“I did not have the opportunity to meet Justin and Julian, I only know them through associations with others. No matter how little or how much we know someone, it doesn’t really matter. It was the ultimate sacrifice they made alongside of Ryan and Nick that we recognize and pay tribute to.”
Nearly 50 service members on duty now at Chabelley hiked the rugged road out to the crash site on Thursday afternoon where the four Airmen died aboard Ratchet 33, a U-28A “Draco” surveillance plane.
On Feb. 18, 2012 at approximately 1357, Ratchet 33 left Camp Lemonnier. At that time their mission was to keep watch over the battlefields of Afghanistan, Iraq and other areas engaged in the war on terror, with the primary mission of keeping people on the ground safe. The crew executed their daily work and headed home. At 1928 the U-28 crashed -- about one mile from Chabelley Airfield -- as a result of unrecognized spatial disorientation, according to the Air Force Accident Investigation Board Report.
“What should have been an uneventful return to base ended in tragedy,” said Lt Col Wabeke. ”An entire community of aviators literally looked at each other and asked ‘how this could happen?’ We have all done exactly what they did -- since 2009 -- and no one had a bump, not even a blip.”
Lt. Col Wabeke dedicated four newly-built huts honoring the crew, saying “All who sleep at Chabelley will remember their sacrifice.”
The unit commander’s somber words held the attention of all the troops standing in ranks in the heavy afternoon heat. “This is what distinguishes us -- the military -- from civilians. It is known as the unlimited liability clause of service. That, at the end of the day, we, as military members may be expected to sacrifice everything, including our lives. It is what bonds us as Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and now -- Guardians.”
After the ceremony, troops saddled up in armor and rucks for the one-mile hike to the crash site.
Senior Airman Ryan Coovert from Belton, Missouri attended the ceremony and walked to the crash site. He said, "The ceremony was very moving. The audience got to learn that Ratchet 33 was more than just an Air Crew. They were brothers, fathers, sons, and friends to people that love them. The ceremony made you realize that we all need to appreciate the moments we get with our fellow military members, because you ultimately never know when or who will make the ultimate sacrifice."

• Date Taken: 02.18.2021
• Date Posted: 03.01.2021 16:22
• Story ID: 389701
• Location: ZA