DOD identifies Air Force casualties

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DOD identifies Air Force casualties

Posted 1/8/2012

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1/8/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died Jan. 5 in Shir ghazi, Helmand province, Afghanistan, when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell, 23, of Erie, Pa. He was assigned to the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz, 34, of Traverse City, Mich. He was assigned to the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, FE Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.

Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler, 24, of Westminster, Md. He was assigned to the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Comments

1/17/2012 8:54:09 AM ET
God Bless you all. May He comfort your families in this time of sorrow.Dr. B L Baker US Army Ret

Dr. B. Baker, Hurlburt Field FL

1/16/2012 10:58:15 AM ET
While I truly appreciate the heartfelt condolences for our Fallen Heroes I am forced to remind folks that this is still a US Air Force website. Using this forum to vent your frustrations only discredits and redirects the attention from our fallen.

Schottzie, Helmand Province AFG

1/13/2012 8:51:22 AM ET
Rest in peace my CE brothers. God Bless You and all who give their lives and thank you for serving.

SSgt Stokes, JB Andrews MD

1/12/2012 12:11:07 PM ET
God bless these fine men and our entire fighting force. On or under the surface or in the air we are one unit. As ex-military I can say that it takes real strength to constantly put service before self. Families very often take a back seat. Look above at their ages and consider the responsibilities they have undertaken. Their reasons for joining the military are inconsequential. They fight for us and our freedom including the freedom to bash the military and that should be enough to earn your full respect. Pray for all of our troops and their post-war post-military transition. Let's show them how decent we can be. Jake the fact you can post that comment on this site says it all. Don't bootstrap yourself to the media or any one politician. Do the digging yourself and find the good these fine men and women are doing. Always challenge your beliefs.

C. Andrews, Dallas TX

1/12/2012 8:59:38 AM ET
God bless those heroes and their co-workers friends and family.Jake Orlando please look up the theory of Sheep Sheep Dogs and Wolves. Hopefully you'll realize which category you are in and it'll help you understand the reality of the world. Having been in the military for 20 12 years so far I'd love for every country to not need a military. Unfortunately that's in a perfect world and we won't see that in our lifetimes.

Will Eckrich, Montgomery AL

1/12/2012 8:21:45 AM ET
Jake no one ever won anything they quit on. In the face of adversity it those who keep pushing on that will see the end. The Ron Paul Democrat view you express is fine if we don't ever get involved but then when someone minds their own business that wont make it go away either. Someone has to face the bad guy someone has to make it stop and that should be left to those who are willing to sacrifice to do that. No one joins this all volunteer force today thinking that they won't have to sacrifice themselves so when they die it is tragic but that is a responsibility they accepted. We have all forgot what got us here. Did we gain freedom and independence on our own What if the European countries that supported us back in the 1700's stayed out of our war where do you think we whould be As the saying goes freedom is not free. They only sad thing about todays war is we no longer conquer our enemy that is how a war is won.

BobC, Oklahoma City

1/11/2012 7:24:45 PM ET
Rest in Peace brothers. God, Receive into eternal rest those who have given their lives and bring healing to those who mourn. We Remember.

S.P., VAFB CA

1/11/2012 12:36:55 PM ET
Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of our fallen heroes.

TSgt Schetroma, Wright-Patterson AFB OH

1/10/2012 11:33:39 PM ET
God bless you airmen and yalls family your sacrifices for our freedom will be remembered.

A1C Cimental Juan C, Malmstrom AFB Montana

1/10/2012 3:39:26 PM ET
A sad day in the EOD community and for the Air Force overall. Prayers for the families of these brave fallen heroes.

Amanda, Joint Base Andrews MD

1/10/2012 1:37:18 PM ET
RIP Airmen gone but not forgotten.

SSgt D, Hurlburt Field

1/10/2012 11:41:21 AM ET
Praise God for these young men who gave their lives for freedom everywhere.I Pray that God will confort their Families and that their Families will know they will see them again in a better place.

Joe Kirk, Nellis AFB Las Vegas NV

1/10/2012 11:05:55 AM ET
God Bless America and those who lost their lives to protect us and America..Bless God

Marilyn Schneider, Logan OH

1/10/2012 10:26:23 AM ET
God's speed to these brave and courageous men who served their country selflessly with honor and gave all. May their families be comforted and supported by all in this time of need.Clint RAFB

Clint, Robins Air Force Base

1/10/2012 9:36:00 AM ET
A tragic loss, our sincere condolences and prayers go out to TSgt Schwartz, SrA Bell, A1C Seidler's family and friends.

Chief Wheeler - Retired, Huntsville AL

1/10/2012 9:16:47 AM ET
Rest in peace my EOD brothers. You are missed.@Jeffery and David- Thank you for pointing out that they were EOD... It seems that AF Civil Engineers continuously leave out the fact that our brothers being killed are EOD. Unfortunately, we are Engineers because we have to be. We will never get the respect the Battlefield Airman receives because CE refuses to let us go. CE leadership refuses to believe or show that EOD is different, we always have been and always will be. I used to try to be one team/family with CE, but too many poor decisions against the advancement of EOD and our personnel have created a divide within us.

J, TX

1/10/2012 9:09:48 AM ET
Greater love has no one than this than to lay down ones life for his friends -John 1513. God bless these men and bring great peace to their families. We are eternally grateful.

SSgt Brewster, Offutt AFB

1/10/2012 7:10:47 AM ET
Thank you for your service .May You all now Rest in Peace. God Bless you and your Families.

john woolgar, United Kingdom

1/10/2012 4:28:28 AM ET
Rest in peace Airmen. Pray for the families of these brave men.

Andrew Long, Shaw AFB

1/9/2012 10:56:35 PM ET
May God hold them their families and all our military in his hand. God bless you and i am sorry for your loss.

Edward, VA

1/9/2012 10:23:16 PM ET
what God calls the leap of faith, walking where a path does not appear, but believing that it is there, that is how we overcome the terror, the fear of anything including dying.

Craig Spinner USAF Vet, Oceanside CA

1/9/2012 9:21:15 PM ET
RIP YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN

mike, Luke AFB AZ

1/9/2012 7:17:46 PM ET
My heart goes out to the families and friends of these people. If they were EOD techs, that needs to be mentioned. As mother of USAF EOD son, this is my greatest fear. I hope that families were notified before this was posted on Facebook. I know how hard it was personally when my son was injured to just be contacted. To the point, my son had to call himself from a pay phone. I was deeply disappointed in the air force for my son's injuries and how they never contacted his mother as a single man.

Sky Amazon , Fairfax Station

1/9/2012 7:17:33 PM ET
Your watch is done. Stand down and rest in peace my Brothers.

Jim Brewer MSgt Ret, NC

1/9/2012 6:50:33 PM ET
Rest in peace brothers.

SSgt Chris M., Westover ARB MA.

1/9/2012 6:35:15 PM ET
Rest in Peace.. so sad to lose fellow airman..my heart goes out to their family and friends.

SrA Kayla Smith, CTANG

1/9/2012 6:24:55 PM ET
I was part of the hero's ceremony that respectfully sent these three airmen away. my first one, and i hope its my last. way to painful and said for me. I hate helmand provence, way too many rocket attacks here.

kevin beckworth, Helmand afg

1/9/2012 6:15:16 PM ET
God bless them for their sacrifice. I am proud I have the privilege to serve beside brave men and women like these fine Airmen everyday. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

2Lt E, Tyndall AFB FL

1/9/2012 5:55:45 PM ET
May God comfort the families at this difficult time. Your loved ones are home now. It is a personal loss to all whom have served, especially our own blue suiters. If there is any comfort, they were doing what they wanted to do serving our beloved USA.

CMS Al Womack AFRET, Melbourne Florida

1/9/2012 5:54:28 PM ET
Eighty percent of all IEDs are made with fertilizer manufactured by one company in Pakistan. Hundreds of American GI's have been killed by these bombs, yet this company still stands. Profitability above all else. Either win the war or get the hell out.

joe thomas, OKC Oklahoma

1/9/2012 5:34:16 PM ET
My heart aches--May God hold families friends and co-workers of these young men in His tender care.

Terri Armstead, Goodyear AZ

1/9/2012 5:31:35 PM ET
God Bless these fine young men and their families. I am very proud of all of our military men and women...my thoughts and prayers are with them.

Becky, Canisteo NY

1/9/2012 5:29:58 PM ET
These three men who gave their lives for this great country are to be considered my HEROES. To their family, I pray that God will comfort you in this tragic time. May God put his sheltering arms around you. And for all of our other Military members that put themselves in harm's way on a daily basis. May God put his sheltering arms around each and everyone of you. God Bless the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

John B., Springfield MO

1/9/2012 5:29:16 PM ET
May God Bless you and your families. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones. Proud USAF CE Mom KY

Malisa, Kentucky

1/9/2012 3:30:58 PM ET
I think that it is prudent to mention that all of these brave Airmen were EOD tecs. The article made no mention of that fact.

Jeffery Derrick, Holloman AFB New Mexico

1/9/2012 1:18:56 PM ET
My family and I honor your memory and sacrifice. May God bless you and your family.

Rick, Florida

1/9/2012 12:15:47 PM ET
May these brave EOD airmen rest in peace.

David Hollingsworth, Holloman AFB NM

1/9/2012 12:02:59 PM ET
Urban warfare is the worst battle to fight. Our enemies coward and hide within the surrounding civilian population and wait until they have an opportunity to inflict damage upon America fighting forces. There is no greater dishonor for an enemy. Thank you for your courage and sacrifice Airmen May God be with you and your families. Know that God has witness your sacrifice and I pray that you will be kept safe during your deployment in Afghanistan.

Tony Nevels, NC

1/9/2012 11:52:39 AM ET
Prayers to the Family and Friends of these brave Airmen. Rest in peace in the arms of the Angels. GOD BLESS AMERICA and ALL THOSE WHO SERVE.

PROUD USAF MOM, VA

1/9/2012 10:37:51 AM ET
A1C Seidler, all of us here at Team Peterson honor your memory and your sacrifice. May God hold you and your family in His loving arms.

Jeff Nash, Peterson AFB Colorado

1/9/2012 10:02:52 AM ET
All gave some and yet YOU gave ALL. God bless and comfort your families as only He can. I salute you my brothers...

TSgt K, Scott AFB

1/9/2012 9:36:07 AM ET
Jake, show a little respect for these young men and their sacrific. This is not the place. Rest in peace gentlemen.

Toad, SJAFB

1/8/2012 10:07:35 PM ET
Rest in peace. You gave the ultimate sacrifice. We salute you.

TSgt R, Ft. Meade

1/8/2012 8:43:42 PM ET
Why The GWOT is pointless. Terrorism is here to stay throwing bullets at it won't stop it. If we love our troops we'll bring them home from a war they can't win.

Jake Orlando, Los Angeles CA

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