76th AS Commemorates IFO 21

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Bressler
  • Ramstein Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The 76th Airlift Squadron recently held a memorial service in remembrance of the April 3, 1996 tragic loss of Implementation Force 21 aboard a Boeing CT-43 aircraft. 

Thirteen years ago this event took the lives of 35 people, including six Airmen from the 76th AS and Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, when it collided with a hillside in Dubrovnik, Croatia. 

"We re-dedicate ourselves to principles of freedom, liberty and justice that IFO 21 was supporting," said Brig. Gen. Bill Bender, 86th Airlift Wing commander. "Their sacrifice marks a painful period in the history of the 76th AS, the 86th Operations Group and the 86th AW, but it does not mark the end of the story." 

Each year Airmen gather in front of the 76th AS, where the memorial stone rests, to remember a moment of tragedy and pay special homage to those men and women from the 76th AS. 

This year Petra Aldrich and her youngest son were present for the service. Petra is the wife of Staff Sgt. Gerald 'Jake' Aldrich, who was a flight attendant aboard IFO 21. 

"It has been 12 years since I have returned here," said Ms. Aldrich. "I was sad because the ceremony reminded me of the original one, but I also felt honored to join the 76th AS and be part of the Retreat." 

The presence of the Aldrich's made the ceremony even more meaningful, according to Capt. Robert Krueger, 76th AS, C-21 flight commander. 

Many lessons have been learned from this tragedy. It changed the way instrument approaches and departures are reviewed to ensure safety of flight. 

"The ceremony is a solemn occasion to remember the lives, the selfless service and the ultimate sacrifice of six of our fellow Airmen and the 29 passengers they were airlifting," said Lt. Col. James Dryjanski, 76th AS commander. "It is a poignant reminder of our own humanity and the risks our Airmen face day in and day out to provide world-class priority airlift for our nation's military and civilian leadership."