wreath

Col. Brian Robinson, 19 Airlift Wing commander, Col. Mark Czelusta, 314th Airlift Wing commander, and Team Little Rock salute during a ceremony at Heritage Park, Feb. 17, 2012, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The ceremony honored Sgt. William D. Blair, Capt. Edward R. Breen, 1st Lt. Maurice F. Cherry, Tech. Sgt. Raymond L. Hughes, and 1st Lt. Henry M. Thorsen, who died while performing a flight training mission Feb. 18, 1972. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb Pierce)

Wreath laying honors memory of passed service members

Published Feb. 17, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., held a wreath laying ceremony at Heritage Park on base Feb. 17, 2012, in honor of five service members who died when performing a flight training mission here Feb. 18, 1972.

The ceremony honored the service of:

Sgt. William D. Blair, a student flight engineer.

Captain Edward R. Breen, an instructor pilot.

1st Lieutenant Maurice F. Cherry, a student pilot.

Tech Sgt. Raymond L. Hughes, an instructor flight engineer.

1st Lieutenant Henry M. Thorsen, a student pilot.

On the afternoon of Feb. 18, 1972, the crew of the THULE 80 took off from the base to perform their training mission. After finishing the mission, they turned the aircraft to return to base. At 7:07 p.m., the aircraft collided with a T-37, and lost power in two engines. The THULE 80 crashed, killing the entire crew.

Service members from throughout the base gathered to honor the memory of the deceased, and the wreath was laid at the request of their loved ones.