Airman dies in combat operations in Afghanistan
Posted 10/1/2010
10/1/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- An Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller died Sept. 29 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Senior Airman Mark A. Forester, 29, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was killed while conducting combat operations with his special forces team in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.
"Mark believed with all his heart in serving his God, his country and his family," said Maj. Edmund Loughran, the 21 STS acting commander. "The unit mourns his loss, but we could not be more proud of his devotion to defending what he believed in most."
Combat controller killed in action: 'He would not have chosen another way to die' (PHOTOS)
September 30, 2010 8:43 PM
Wendy Victora and Angel McCurdy
Daily News
HURLBURT FIELD ? The loss of the second Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller has devastated the special tactics community, as well as folks from Mark Forester's hometown in Alabama.
Senior Airman Forester, a 29-year-old Haleyville, Ala. native, was killed Sept. 29 during combat operations with his Special Forces team in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
His death came less than two weeks after Senior Airman Daniel R. Sanchez died of wounds suffered during a firefight in that region.
"It's unheard of," Capt. Kristen Duncan, with AFSOC Public Affairs at Hurlburt Field, said of losing two combat controllers in such a short period of time. "It's just tragic news to the whole special tactics community."
She said there are only about 350 combat controllers in the Air Force.
Forester was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C. in September 2009. He had joined the Air Force in June 2007 and spent almost two years training at Hurlburt Field.
?Mark believed with all his heart in serving his God, his country and his family,? said Maj. Edmund Loughran, 21 STS acting commander. ?The unit mourns his loss, but we could not be more proud of his devotion to defending what he believed in most.?
Forester grew up in Haleyville, which is about an hour from Tuscaloosa. His death marks the first combat casualty from the town since Vietnam, according to Harold Bearden, owner of a local television station.
Forester graduated from Haleyville High School and then attended the University of Alabama, where he graduated with a degree in finance.
Haleyville resident, Lauren Tinker, called Forester a friend so close he was almost a brother. She said he was the youngest of five children.
She added that his family is struggling but that the community is surrounding them with support.
?There?s nobody like him on the face of the planet,? Tinker said crying. ?When he went over there we knew it was going to be dangerous, but for as long as I can remember he was bound and determined that he?d be a soldier fighting for our country.
?Mark would not have chosen another way to die. We have to take comfort in that.?
Forester's body was flown into Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Thursday.
Funeral arrangements are still pending, but Haleyville City School Superintendent Clint Baggett said the memorial will likely have to be held in the high school's gym to accomodate the crowds.
Baggett was the principal of Haleyville High School, when Forester graduated.
?He always had the gift of wit," Baggett said. "He was certainly a very personable young man.
?This is a historic loss for Haleyville," he added. "We pride ourselves on raising children that are willing to give their all for their country and that?s exactly what Mark did.?
Forester's squadron at Pope Air Force Base will hold a memorial service honoring Forester next week. The date and time has not yet been determined.
The deaths of Sanchez and Forester are the first combat controller deaths in more than a year. On Feb. 20, 2009, Staff Sgt. Timothy Davis, was killed in Afghanistan.
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http://www.sgtmacsbar.com/CCTPhotos/Gallery24/Forester/Forester.html
http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/tv/Coming-Home/142415/1860785633/Paying-Tribute/videos
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