Sgt. Anthony E. Salazar, Air Force reservist killed in OIR
The sad news comes that another US service member has been killed in a “non-combat-related incident” while engaged in Operation Inherent Resolve – war against ISIS in Iraq and Syria;
Sgt. Anthony E. Salazar, 40, died April 13 while serving as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, taking part in a campaign of air strikes in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State, according to the Department of Defense.
His death is under investigation, according to the DoD.
Freedom Remembered has his bio;
He was assigned to the 577th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron, 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group, U.S. Air Forces Central Command. Salazar was a mechanical systems repairman, whose job was to ensure facility operations at an air base in the Gulf region that is supporting operations against Islamic State militants. Salazar was assigned to the 577th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron, part of the 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group and reporting to U.S. Air Forces Central Command. The unit’s headquarters is at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, but Salazar’s squadron was assigned elsewhere in the Gulf region.”
Category: Air Force, Blue Skies
RIP Sgt. Salazar.
As they say, training can be as deadly as combat. In this case, doing a dangerous job can kill you just as quick as a bullet.
RIP Sgt. Thoughts and Prayers for you & your family.
My condolences to the family of Sgt. Salazar.
I can’t help but be reminded that the first casualty of OIF was the death of someone unloading equipment from one of the Sealift Ships; this was during the staging period before the outbreak of hostilities.
A lot of casualties in OIF/OEF from vehicle roll overs, electrocution, run over, etc.
Regardless of how they died, there are still greiving loved ones and friends left behind.
RIP SGT.
Minor quibble: Didn’t the Air Force get rid of the rank of “SGT” some time in the late 80’s or early 90’s?
IIRC Back when I first came into the Army (and we had to learn the ranks of all the services) the USAF had the both the ranks of Airman First Class (A1c) and Sergeant (Sgt.) Both were in the E-4 pay grade. A Sgt was considered an NCO and an A1c was not (in the same way that an Army E-4 Specialist is not an NCO but an E-4 Corporal is.)
Then some time later that was changed and the rank of Sgt was eliminated in favor of all E-4’s being A1c. Which would mean the first NCO rank in the USAF is Staff Sergeant (SSgt), E-5.
Air Force types: Am I wrong? Which would mean that Sgt Salazar was most likely a Staff Sergeant, Tech Sergeant or Master Sergeant, right?
E4’s are Senior Airmen and E-3’s are A1C’s. At one point though the AF did have E4 “Buck” Sergeants.
He was a Tsgt and an awesome son, father and friend to us.
EDIT: Just clicked on the link above. He was a Tech Sergeant (TSgt), E-6.
RIP, TSgt, Salazar.
Now let’s hope the DoD and the VA follow through with benefits for his family. I personally wish condolences to his family, friends and, his Unit. Remember when it comes to the Govt’ be the squeaky wheel. I feel like I know more brothers and sisters that have been seriously hurt or killed in training more so than in actual combat.
RIP brother
Tucker 13.5 yrs. USAF
Medical retiree (Training/Stateside related injury)