Military Aviation is a dangerous game.....and a small world

[Brad]

At least one very good friend of mine was killed in the C-130 crash last night in Albania. Possibly more. So far, his is the only identity I know out of the nine that died.

He was at my wedding. I taught him how to rappel and he had been over to my parents place for Thanksgiving more than once. We went skydiving together and I took him on some of his very first trips as a loadmaster in the Mighty Herk.

He was a darn fine guy and leaves behind a wife and lots of friends that were glad to know him.

[Dan K]

Thanks for sharing, Brad.

My condolences and wishes of comfort to family and friends now hurting.

Dan

[Locobuster]

My heartfelt condolences, Brad and my thoughts go out to you and his family and his friends.

[mrhenniger]

I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Although the loss of any comrade can't be easy, losing people close to you is even worse. Hopefully you would be receiving any more bad news about your friends today.

My condolences.

Mike

[Robbie Stuart]

Brad I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and his crewmates. I also share in sending my thoughts and prayers to all affected by this accident.
Robbie

[tom d. friedman]

brad, my condolences as well. while it is a tragic situation & a bad twist of fate, please take comfort in the fact that your buddy probably died doing what he loved best..... serving his country & flying, & i'm sure his fellow crewmen all followed suit with the same positive attitude. all the best, tom

Last edited by tom d. friedman on Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[TimAPNY]

Sorry to hear that news.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Friends and Family of those lost.

[Scott Rose]

Sorry to hear the news and my condolences to you and your friends family.

[Rob Mears]

Nothing hurts like being robbed of a buddy. I've lost a disproportionate number of close friends in my time. I'm sorry you're having to go through that with one of yours. Just remember he's still alive in your heart even if you'll never see him in person again. Honor the relationship by keeping that alive. Tough stuff bro - I feel for ya.

[Broken-Wrench]

At least the family knows their fate. Planes have flown off the boat and were never heard from or seen again. R.I.P Bros, Gone west!

[turbo_NZ]

Condolences from us here in NZ, Brad.

TNZ

[airnutz]

No one ever dies as long as they're remembered, that's what friends are for...condolences to all Brad...

[Oscar Duck]

and yesterday some fine young Australian servicemen died helping others when a Royal Australian Navy Sea King from HS-817 crashed while on relief work in earthquake/tsunami relief ops in Nias, Indonesia; 6 Navy and 3 Air Force including two females died. I too served with that squadron years ago on the good ship HMAS Melbourne...

RIP...

[turbo_NZ]

and yesterday some fine young Australian servicemen died helping others when a Royal Australian Navy Sea King from HS-817 crashed while on relief work in earthquake/tsunami relief ops in Nias, Indonesia; 6 Navy and 3 Air Force including two females died. I too served with that squadron years ago on the good ship HMAS Melbourne...

RIP...

Oh No !!!!!
That's really sad to hear also

Condolences to their families also.

TNZ

[Oscar Duck]

The 30 year old Sea King Mk 50 was a genuine "warbird" having flown in Iraq/Timor/Somalia and many other zones of non peace. First trip to the Gulf when Iraq/Iran war started in 1980. We were chased by the Ruskies [I was there]...

Historic ex-military choppers need preservation. How about a Sikorsky R-1 from WW2 or HOS-1 from Korea plus the Vietnam era and beyond. An AH-1 Cobra ex-Vietnam war is about to fly here...