Fallen Heroes memorial wall

In conjunction with National Police Week, the 92nd Security Forces Squadron unveiled the Security Forces Fallen Heroes Wall here May 11. After a year’s work, security forces members can pay their respects to the eight security forces members that died in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Darlene West)

Fairchild SF honors fallen comrades

Published June 8, 2009
By Michael Bradshaw
92nd Security Forces

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- On May 11, in concert with National Police Week, the 92nd Security Forces Squadron unveiled the Security Forces Fallen Heroes Wall, a project they have been working on over the past year.

Eight security forces members have died in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom since the beginning of combat operations in both theaters. While none of the eight were from Fairchild, the men and women of the 92d Security Forces Squadron have been impacted by each one.

The 92nd Security Forces Squadron has had deployed members in the vicinity of every fallen comrade when they were killed. The Air Force currently has approximately 4,000 security forces members forward deployed throughout Southwest Asia, performing such tasks as airbase defense, convoy operations, working dog operations, protective service details, law and order missions and other outside-the-wire activities.

"Gone are the days when security forces remained in the rear area of operations, securing airfields inside perimeter boundaries," Maj. Jeffery Ditlevson, 92nd Security Forces Squadron commander, stated during the ceremony. "Today, security forces members find themselves in the middle of the fight."

"Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, and the constant training and lengthy deployments they demand, have tested the mettle of the security forces career field, yet we remain a combat-hardened force, one that is stronger, smarter and more capable than any other in our history," Ditlevson said.

An M240 machine gun, mounted on the top of a HMMV, fired a single shot between the reading of each fallen hero's name. At the end of the ceremony, the Honor Guard played taps. Senior Airman Dan Grimes, 141st Security Forces, played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes as about 80 guests walked through the 92nd SFS headquarters building to view the wall.