Luke Airman makes ultimate sacrifice in freedom fight

  • Published
  • By Deborah Marie Gibson
  • 56th Fighter Wing
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Defense Department announced Wednesday the identity of a Luke Airman who recently died in Afghanistan, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie, 44, of Coaldale, Colo., died Monday due to wounds sustained from small arms fire encountered outside Camp Stone, a forward operating base near Herat. 

"The 56th Fighter Wing extends heartfelt condolences to the Gillespie family for such a tragic loss," said Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander. "The deep sense of sorrow we feel should serve as a reminder to Americans, about the sacrifices borne by the men and women of our Armed Forces. Sergeant Gillespie was helping to rebuild a nation and its people after years of its suffering and oppression. He was an outstanding senior NCO and friend to many at Luke." 

Sergeant Gillespie was assigned to the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron and served as Fuels Management Flight preventive maintenance NCO in charge. Lt. Col. Michael Washington, 56th LRS commander, described Sergeant Gillespie as being an intricate part of the fuels flight success. 

"He contributed to the flight garnering the American Petroleum Institute trophy, which recognized our fuels flight as the best in the Air Force," Colonel Washington said. "Randy Gillespie was a man of purpose who wanted his life to count. He wanted to help others both personally and professionally." 

Always driven to help others, Sergeant Gillespie was also an acting first sergeant who was well liked and respected for his character. 

"He was my supervisor and mentor and the most honest person you would ever meet," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Fookes, fuels resource control center technician. "You could talk to him about anything; he wanted to make a difference." 

To many, Sergeant Gillespie was like a living hero. Staff Sgt. Jason Jablonowski, fuels preventive maintenance technician, said he knew right away that Sergeant Gillespie was a special person. 

"He was a hero not only to this country -- he touched so many lives at home and afar," said Tech. Sgt. Walter Contreras, fuels distribution NCO in charge. 

According to Chief Master Sgt. Michael Smith, fuels manager, Sergeant Gillespie was a man who volunteered for everything, even Afghanistan. In April, he deployed with the 755th Air Expeditionary Group to support the Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, a collection of Army National Guard units that train the new Afghan national army. Sergeant Gillespie was teaching fuels procedures to Afghan soldiers; a job he performed with passion and patriotism, according to his wife, Lisa Gillespie. 

"My husband deployed 16 times in his career," she said. "He loved God, loved his family and he loved his country. That's why he was over there." 

Husband and father of four, Sergeant Gillespie was a 24-year veteran and a part of Luke's family for seven years. 

"The Luke family is close-knit and this news greatly affects us all," General Jones said. "Sergeant Gillespie served with courage and commitment and believed in duty, honor nd country. We are fortunate to have such a devoted, strong and compassionate team of friends and co-workers from our base community, to support the family in this difficult time." 

Fighter Country Partnership, a local community support organization for the men and omen of Luke, is establishing a sub account for the Gillespie family under the Arizona Servicemen Memorial Fund which is a nonprofit foundation. People interested in making a tax deductible donation to assist the family, may write a check to "The Gillespie family" and drop it off at any Credit Union West branch, or mail it to Fighter Country Partnership at 500 North Estrella Parkway, Suite B2, PMB #479, Goodyear, AZ 85338.
For more information, call Steve Yamamori at (623) 882-2191 or e-mail yamamori@fightercountry.org. 

"Sergeant Gillespie will be remembered here as a beloved husband and father, patriot, warrior and a proud American who volunteered to serve in his nation's Air Force." General Jones said.