A day of remembrance

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jordan Castelan
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Airmen from across Ramstein gathered to pay their respects and honor prisoners of war and missing in action service members during a ceremony held at the officers club Sept. 19.

Retired Col. Thomas Griffith, former Operation Desert Shield prisoner of war, and Col. Joseph McFall, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing commander, gave keynote speeches during the luncheon and wreath laying ceremony. Airmen and leadership from the three wings on Ramstein and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa were in attendance.

"We're out here today to honor those service members who have gone missing or been taken prisoner during a time of war," said Chief Master Sgt. Frank H. Batten III, 86th Airlift Wing command chief. "It's important to take time out of our busy schedules to sit down and pay homage to those that have made such a great sacrifice in the defense of our nation."

The luncheon included Griffith recounting his experiences during Operation Desert Shield, the preflight brief held before the faithful sortie that would lead to his capture, the moment his aircraft was damaged by a surface to air missile, his capture near the Syrian border and his eventual release.

"We knew we were going on a tough mission," said Griffith. "The wing commander came to see us off and our operations group commander said the mission would be worth 20 years of flight pay."

Griffith's and his wingmen's task had them flying deep past enemy lines into the heart of Saddam Huessein's regime and anti-air defenses to eliminate high value targets.

On the night of January 19, 1991 Griffith and his pilot, Col. David Eberly, where shot out of the western Iraqi sky by a SAM. Griffith remembers the moment his aircraft was struck by the missile as quite an impactful experience.

During the following two days, Griffith and Eberly attempted everything they could to avoid capture and make it into allied Syria for rescue.

As the two downed aviators approached the suspected Syrian-Iraqi border, they realized that they had been spotted. Armed men began to rush to their position and upon first contact the revelation that the border guards were Iraqi belligerents settled in. 

"There were a handful of moments that tested many of my traits," said Griffith. "The realization that I was going to become a prisoner was shocking. I believe that this experience really showed how important resilience is and how you need a lot of internal courage and fortitude to fight through the curves life throws at you."

During his 42 days of imprisonment, Griffith was forced to move to multiple Iraqi prisons and forced to make propaganda broadcasts in compliance of his captors.

Three days after the Gulf War ended, and alongside five other POWs, Griffith was released on March 3, 1991 back into the hands of freedom.

Keeping a mentally and physically fit core of Airmen has proven to be a key principle for Airmen like Griffith and members of today's Air Force. Remaining resilient helped empower Griffith through his imprisonment.

"To hear a story like Col. Griffiths really goes to show that in life you are capable and equipped to make it through the trials and tribulations you face," said McFall. "To hear someone who made it through so respectfully gives you strength."

The day of remembrance concluded with a wreath laying ceremony honoring all those who haven't and can no longer return home to loving hands and friends.