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The Department of Defense announced today the death of eight Marines and two airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. All 10 died Feb. 17, when two CH-53 helicopters crashed into the Gulf of Aden in the vicinity of Ras Siyyan, northern Djibouti, while flying a training mission in the Godoria Range area. The Marines and airmen were deployed to Djibouti as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
The Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Air Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, New River, N.C.
1st Lt. Brandon R. Dronet, 33, of Erath, La.
Sgt. James F. Fordyce, 22, of Newton Square, Pa.
Lance Cpl. Samuel W. Large, Jr., 21, of Villa Rica, Ga.
Sgt. Donnie Leo F. Levens, 25, of Long Beach, Miss.
Cpl. Matthieu Marcellus, 31, of Gainesville, Fla.
Sgt. Jonathan E. McColley, 23, of Gettysburg, Pa.
Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Sovie, 20, of Ogdensburg, N.Y.
Capt. Bryan D. Willard, 33, of Hummelstown, Pa.
The airmen were:
SrA. Alecia S. Good, 23, of Broadview Heights, Ohio 92nd Communications Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.
Staff Sgt. Luis M. Melendez Sanchez, 33, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. 1st Communications Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Va.
Other Comments:
If anyone has additional info in regards to Units, Awards, etc...
Please leave a message, Thanks
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"We miss you and love you so very much." Anonymous of Spokane, WA
"I never want to forget the sacrifices of so many young men and women. I am so proud it makes me cry. I understand in theory only that war is a part of human nature but so is love and caring. I wish I could take the families pain away but I can't. I am committed to loving ALL people, myself and our environment. I am committed to working on my happiness everyday because so many have died for my freedom to live my life. Thank you is not enough but it is all I have. All my love and respect. [email protected]" Scott Steiner of Gahanna, OH / USA
"I was recently at an American Legion in NH and was given a black metal "service bracelet" with the name of Senior Airman Alecia S Good of Broadview Heights, OH. I never knew Alecia or any of her family, but, I proudly wear her name on my wrist everyday. THANK YOU ALICIA for serving our country and giving me the freedom I have today." Jill of New Hampshire
"july 26, 2008
We went to tech school together. Had so much fun together and got into so much trouble together! we lost touch and when trying to find you I find that you have past, this is truly heart breaking. You were one cool * chick and I'll never forget you good!" lauren of nj
"I am sad to say I never had the opprotunity to meet SrA Alecia Good however, I have been assigned to the squadron and shop she was in. On a weekly basis I am updating paperwork and inventories on deployable equipment with her name as the recent operator and/or specialist that did the inventory. Her memory is definately not forgotten and her memorial in the squadron halls is a reminder that FREEDOM ISN'T FREE." Anthony Arias of Fairchild Air Force Base, WA
"September 30, 2007
To the family of Senior Airman Alecia S. Good. Alecia gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org" Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV
"Alecia,
I would like to say thank you to you and your fellow servicemen who died in that crash for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy." Mike Casey of El Paso, Texas
"Ashely, I'm so sorry for your loss. I came across this site while trying to research Alecia to have her honored on a new website called They Have Names. Would you please contact me at [email protected] so that Alecia may be honored for her service and commitment to our country. Again, you have my deepest sympathies." sue of pompton plains, NJ USA
"Alecia, you are always in my thoughts. My prayers are with your family. 19 Oct 2006." Angela of Langley AFB, VA
"I miss my twin sister so much it is killing me inside. I wish I could just wake up from this nightmare." Ashley Good of Pacifica, California
"Ashley, my thoughts and prayers were with you on July 28th." Angie Lindberg of Dixon CA
"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness,�
and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief.�
Our nations HERO,�Alecia�will be remembered by name.�
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge / Montana� May we always remember: FREEDOM ISN'T FREE!�"
"So nice to see others had paid their respects and remembered Alecia today.
Her family, especially Ashley and Tabatha are in my prayers every day." Angie Lindberg of Dixon Ca
"Today I took part in a motorcycle benefit called the Freedom Ride. There were over 20,000 motorcycles. At registration we received 'mock' dog tags for fallen soldiers and then traveled 50 miles on our motorcycles to the Middle East Wars Wall. We located our soldier's name there. I had the pleasure of wearing Alecia Sabrina Good's dog tag, I still have it, would love to send it to her family. I've spent the evening researching her on the internet, I feel left out that I didn't have the pleasure of knowing her when she was on this earth. Thank you, Alecia!!!!" Tracey B. of Dwight, IL
"Thank you Alecia Good, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American," Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios
"To the family and friends of SrA. Alecia Good:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Alecia for the sacrifice she has made to make a better life for the rest of us." The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada
"To the family and friends of SrA. Alecia Good:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. She will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Alecia, who continues to live on in your heart." Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
From Month/Year
September / 2001
To Month/Year
December / 2014
Description "Operation Enduring Freedom" (OEF) is the current official name used by the U.S. government for the War in Afghanistan, together with a number of smaller military actions, under the umbrella of the Global "War on Terror" (GWOT).
The operation was originally called "Operation Infinite Justice", but as similar phrases have been used by adherents of several religions as an exclusive description of God, it is believed to have been changed to avoid offense to Muslims, who are the majority religion in Afghanistan. U.S. President George W. Bush's remark that "this crusade, this war on terrorism, is going to take a while", which prompted widespread criticism from the Islamic world, may also have contributed to the renaming of the operation.
The Operation comprises several subordinate operations:
Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan (OEF-) Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines (OEF-P, formerly Operation Freedom Eagle) Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa (OEF-HOA) Operation Enduring Freedom – Pankisi Gorge (completed in 2004) Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans Sahara (OEF-TS; see also Insurgency in the Maghreb) Operation Enduring Freedom – Caribbean and Central America (OEF-CCA) The term "OEF" typically refers to the war in Afghanistan. Other operations, such as the Georgia Train and Equip Program, are only loosely or nominally connected to OEF, such as through government funding vehicles. All the operations, however, have a focus on counterterrorism activities.
Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan, which is a joint U.S., U.K. and Afghan operation, is separate from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is an operation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations including the U.S. and U.K. The two operations run in parallel, and although it has been intended that they merge for some time, this has not yet happened.
Overview In response to the attacks of 11 September, the early combat operations that took place on 7 October 2001 to include a mix of strikes from land-based B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress bombers, carrier-based F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet fighters, and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from both U.S. and British ships and submarines signaled the start of Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan (OEF-A).
The initial military objectives of OEF-A, as articulated by President George W. Bush in his 20 September Address to a Joint Session of Congress and his 7 October address to the country, included the destruction of terrorist training camps and infrastructure within Afghanistan, the capture of al-Qaeda leaders, and the cessation of terrorist activities in Afghanistan."
In January 2002, over 1,200 soldiers from the United States Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) deployed to the Philippines to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in their push to uproot terrorist forces on the island of Basilan. Of those groups included are Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah.[8] The operation consisted of training the AFP in counter-terrorist operations as well as supporting the local people with humanitarian aid in Operation Smiles.
In October 2002, the Combined Task Force 150 and United States military Special Forces established themselves in Djibouti at Camp Lemonnier. The stated goals of the operation were to provide humanitarian aid and patrol the Horn of Africa to reduce the abilities of terrorist organizations in the region. Similar to OEF-P, the goal of humanitarian aid was emphasised, ostensibly to prevent militant organizations from being able to take hold amongst the population as well as reemerge after being removed.
The military aspect involves coalition forces searching and boarding ships entering the region for illegal cargo as well as providing training and equipment to the armed forces in the region. The humanitarian aspect involves building schools, clinics and water wells to enforce the confidence of the local people.
Since 2001, the cumulative expenditure by the U.S. government on Operation Enduring Freedom has exceeded $150 billion.
The operation continues, with military direction mostly coming from United States Central Command.
