Tonight we honor a Naval Commander who died in a non-combat-related incident at Al Udeid Air Base.
Since 2001 we have lost 2349 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 3476 American and coalition forces. Since 2003* we have lost 4488 American troops in Iraq and a total of 4806 American and coalition forces. (* The two troops lost in support of Operation Inherent Resolve have been added to the Operation Iraqi Freedom iCasualties Report.)
I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
~ Photo Credit Timroff
The Department of Defense has announced the death of death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cmdr. Christopher E. Kalafut, 49, of Oceanside, California, died Oct. 24, in Doha, Qatar, of a non-combat related incident at Al Udeid Air Base. He was found deceased in his room. The incident is under investigation.
He was assigned to Naval Amphibious Liaison Element, Combined Forces Air Component Center, U.S. Central Command.
Please join me tonight for a remembrance of his life.
Commander Christopher E. Kalafut
Cmdr. Kalafut, a native of Oceanside, CA and an El Camino High School graduate, was a longtime pilot and reservist nearing retirement. In recent years he has lived in Marietta, GA, with his wife Mary, who was his high school sweetheart, and their five children.
According to his father, Steve, Kalafut, Cmdr. Kalafut graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy in 1987 and entered active duty as an E-2C Hawkeye pilot. He served aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and spent six years in the service before entering the reserves. He has been a Naval Reserve officer for 26 years.
The family later moved to the Atlanta area, where he worked as a fulltime commercial airline pilot for Delta Airlines since 2001. Delta Airlines posted on their website:
We regret to inform you of the death of Delta pilot Christopher Kalafut who died Friday while serving on active duty in Qatar. Navy Reserve Commander Christopher Edward Kalafut joined Delta Air Lines 06-18-2001 and was based Atlanta. He was 49 years of age at the time of his death. Christopher and his wife Mary have five children. The family resides in Acworth GA.
Cmdr. Kalafut was recalled to active duty once before, to fly counternarcotics missions out of Atlanta. He deployed to Afghanistan in July of this year, a non-flying position with Central Command that he saw as a final step towards his retirement from the military. It was his first deployment since their oldest child was born 22 years ago.
In a June 2014 interview with the Marietta Daily Journal, Cmdr. Kalafut said of his upcoming deployment:
The real story isn’t me, it’s my wife and kids...I will miss Mary, Marrion, Meachan, Christopher, Keegan, and Michael very much — and yes, even my two dogs....I will be missing an upcoming anniversary, college graduation, birthdays, lacrosse, football and swimming games/meets — but mostly the overall spontaneous love and fun that comes with a big family...My wife, Mary, is an awesome woman and mother...I am proud and blessed to have such a wonderful family.
Cmdr. Kalafut's five children, ranging in age from 12 to 21, called their Dad "bossome" -- a mix of "boss" and "awesome."
Steve Kalafut said his son Christopher had goals since he was a young man:
His goal that he put on paper when he was in 7th or 8th grade was that he wanted to be an engineer, and he wanted to be a commercial pilot. And he eventually accomplished both of those..He absolutely enjoyed the flying...Him being a pilot, I know what type of accidents can happen. And I mentally prepare myself for that to a degree. But in this case, it was a non-flying billet so I don't, you know, I'm like what the hell? I, I don't know.
Governor Brown's office posted this statement:
On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Cmdr. Christopher E. Kalafut, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
In memorial, Governor Brown ordered that flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol. Cmdr. Kalafut’s family will receive a letter of condolence from the Governor.
Cmdr. Kalafut is survived by his father, his wife, Mary, and his five children.
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Rest in peace, Cmdr. Christopher E. Kalafut. You have served with honor.
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, JaxDem, Joy of Fishes and me, Ekaterin.
These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.