MEDIA ADVISORY - Luke Airman Casualty of Afghanistan Shooting
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Advisory: 04-29-11
29 April 2011
An Airman assigned to the 56th Fighter wing was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan Tuesday when a shooter opened fire at the Kabul airport killing eight U.S. service members and one American contractor.
Lt Col Frank Bryant Jr., was assigned to the 56th Operations Group and has been a member of our Luke family since August 2007. He was deployed to the Combined Joint Chiefs of Staff Afghanistan Pakistan Hands Program as the Air Advisor to the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group. He died of wounds sustained in the shooting.
"We're devastated by the loss of Col Frank Bryant. Our focus now turns to supporting his family and friends as they go through the grieving process. He was an excellent pilot, wingman, and Airman. He excelled in everything he did, and gave his life defending the nation he served for 16 years." said Brigadier General Jerry D. Harris Jr., 56th Fighter Wing, commander. "Additionally, we'd like to send our deepest thoughts and sympathy to the family and friends of all of the Airmen killed in Wednesday's tragic attack."
We appreciate the outpouring of sympathy from our community and around the world as we deal with this loss. We are also grateful for the public's respect for the privacy of those dealing with this loss.
Media point of contact is Ms. Barbara Plante, 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, at (623) 856-6011 or by e-mail at 56fw.pa@luke.af.mil.
To see a copy of the media advisory, please click here.