Hero Stories for Air Force

Senior Airman Daniel J. Johnson, 23, of Schiller Park, Illinois, died October 5, 2010, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Senior Airman Johnson was assigned to the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. </d

Senior Airman Mark Forester, 29, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, died September 29, 2010, in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations in the area. Senior Airman Forester was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. </d

Senior Airman Michael J. Buras, 23, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died September 21, 2010, of wounds suffered as the result of an improvised explosive device detonation in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Senior Airman Buras was assigned to the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. </d

Senior Airman Daniel R. Sanchez, 23, of El Paso, Texas, died September 16, 2010, while conducting combat operations in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan. Senior Airman Sanchez was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida. </d

Senior Airman James A. Hansen, 25, of Athens, Michigan, died September 15, 2010, of wounds suffered during a controlled detonation at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Senior Airman Hansen was assigned to the 46th Operations Support Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. </d

Capt. David A. Wisniewski, 31, of Moville, Iowa, died July 2, 2010, of wounds sustained June 9 in a helicopter crash near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan. Capt. Wisniewski was assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. </d

Senior Airman Benjamin D. White, 24, of Erwin, Tennessee, died June 9, 2010, near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan, in a helicopter crash. Senior Airman White was assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. </d

Staff Sgt. David C. Smith, 26, of Eight Mile, Alabama, died June 9, 2010, near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan, in a helicopter crash. Staff Sgt. Smith was assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base. </d

1st Lt. Joel C. Gentz, 25, of Grass Lake, Michigan, died June 9, 2010, near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan, in a helicopter crash. 1st Lt. Gentz was assigned to the 58th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. </d

Staff Sgt. Michael P. Flores, 31, of San Antonio, Texas, died June 9, 2010, near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan, in a helicopter crash. Staff Sgt. Flores was assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. </d