Kentucky Airmen remember 9/11, honor the fallen

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Philip Speck
  • 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
On the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States, Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard paid tribute today to the thousands of service members whose sacrifice has made America more secure since 2,977 people were killed in New York, Pennsylvania and The Pentagon a decade ago.

The observances began at 7 a.m., when members of the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron ran an 11-mile course circling Louisville International Airport. The run was followed by a base-wide minute of silence at 8:46 a.m., the exact moment the first airliner struck the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. Airmen also gathered in their duty sections to watch a video presentation depicting unit members' deployments over the past 10 years; view a recorded message from the 123rd Airlift Wing commander, Col. Greg Nelson; and share their memories of that tragic day.

Off base, aircrew members from the Kentucky Air Guard performed two-ship C-130 flyovers for the city's American Freedom commemoration at Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville and at the closing ceremonies of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall exhibit at Resthaven Memorial Park.

The Kentucky Air Guard has deployed personnel overseas more than 3,400 times since 9/11, and it continually supports the Global War on Terror with an array missions here at home -- facts Nelson alluded to in his message to the troops.

"Whether you've deployed overseas or supported here at home, whether you came out in the middle of the night to help us launch an aircraft or you've been here the moment that we came back, every single person in the 123rd Airlift Wing has helped since 9/11 and served their nation and the Commonwealth," Nelson said.

Airman 1st Class Kyle Reeder, a cybersurety technician in the 123rd Communications Flight, found himself gazing at the base's flag, which was at half-staff, during the minute of silence.

"I thought about the families and those that have been affected," he said. "I thought about how everything changed that day."

Maj. Wes Robinson said his mother-in-law was in town that morning and told him there was "a bomb or explosion" at the World Trade Center. "I was watching the smoke come up (on TV), and sure enough, I saw the second plane hit. Not everybody knows what they were doing when the first plane hit, but everyone remembers the second one."

Robinson, who was a flight engineer at the time, soon found himself in the air aboard a C-130 at a time when commercial air traffic was still grounded.

"I remember flying the next time, and it was so quiet," he said. "When you're flying around, you're always talking to someone. But there wasn't a word on the radios. It was very eerie."

The attacks inspired Robinson to earn his commission, and he now serves as a navigator for the 165th Airlift Squadron.

Like many in the wing, Robinson found that the operational tempo changed extensively after 9/11. He has deployed twice for Operation Noble Eagle, four times for Operation Iraqi Freedom and three times for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Airman 1st Class Reymart Relos, a food service specialist with the 123rd Services Flight, was a 10-year-old resident of the Philippines when he saw the towers crumble. "I remember the buildings on fire and falling," the Airman said. "My aunt was crying. Everyone was upset."

The year after the attacks, Relos immigrated with his family to the United States, and he became a citizen two years ago. The Airman graduated from Air Force Basic Military Training on June 24.

"I'm still in shock," he said. "Whenever I thought of America, those buildings were the ones I thought of."

The wing commander closed the day by thanking Airmen for their patriotism and reminding them how critical their support is to the nation's defense.

"We appreciate your service, and we ask you to continue the fight," Nelson said. "Be ready every day, and remember."