F.E. Warren mourns loss of Airman
Posted 1/13/2012
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by Senior Airman Mike Tryon
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
1/13/2012 - F. E. WARREN AIR FOCE BASE, Wyo. (AFNS) -- Members of F.E. Warren Air Force Base here were informed Jan. 5 that one of their own, an explosives ordnance disposal technician, was killed in action during his deployment to southern Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Force operations.
"We all mourn the loss of Tech. Sgt. Matthew Schwartz, the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD operations NCO in charge," said Col. Christopher Coffelt, the 90th Missile Wing commander. "Our sincerest condolences go out to his family during this difficult time."
The native of Traverse City, Mich., started his Air Force career in October 1999. After completing basic training, Schwartz moved to Eglin AFB, Fla., where he completed his technical training. He was then stationed to Cannon AFB, N.M., where he culminated his technical school training as an EOD journeyman.
From Cannon AFB, Schwartz was stationed here in 2006 where he was the NCO in charge of EOD equipment and operations. His duties included providing a 24-hour response capability for U.S. and foreign conventional, nuclear, chemical, biological ordnance and improvised explosive devices covering a 12,600 square-mile area of Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado.
"I have lost a good friend," said Tech. Sgt. David Csizmar, a 90th CES EOD Plans and Intelligence technician. "I will truly miss his experience and knowledge, both from our mission here and our missions in Afghanistan.
"He was well known here and throughout the EOD career field," Csizmar said. "His loss has and will continue to reverberate throughout the base and EOD community. The base, in particular, and the EOD career field in general, has lost a great Airman."
Schwartz earned several awards and distinctions including multiple Bronze Stars, one with Valor; a Purple Heart; a Meritorious Service Medal; a Joint Service Commendation Medal; three Air Force Commendation Medals; an Air Force Achievement Medal; an Air Force Combat Action Medal; four Air Force Good Conduct Medals; and a National Defense Service Medal. He was also awarded the rank of senior airman "below-the-zone," and was a John L. Levitow Award winner in 2003.
"I was always impressed with his attitude and leadership; his love of the EOD career field and the Air Force," said Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Pachniak, the 90th CES superintendent. "Regardless of how tough things got, he was always smiling and unfazed by whatever was happening. Matt was, and is, a remarkable example of a fine American who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms our great nation has to offer. Hearing of his loss has been tough to take; he'll be sorely missed. My best wishes and condolences to his family and friends."
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