Remembering our own fallen hero

Before the sun arose on December 4, 2016, 932nd Airlift Wing members gathered around the Illinois unit's flagpole to remember and honor a 932nd Airlift Wing Airman, who lost his life during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009. Technical Sergeant Anthony C. Campbell was the explosive ordnance disposal technician who was killed Dec. 15, 2009, while attempting to steer his team clear of an improvised explosive device during a cordon and search mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Campbell, assigned to the 932nd Civil Engineer Squadron, stymied enemy bomb makers with the discovery and destruction of more than 280 pieces of ordnance and bulk explosives used to make IEDs. At center left, commander of the wing, Col. Jonathan Philebaum, spoke about sacrifice, and the honor guard folded a flag, as taps was played and the rain started to fall. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Christopher Parr)