I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of 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 as well as in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support, Operation Joint Guardian and Operation Octave Shield. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
The Department of Defense has announced the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Senior Airman Jason Khai Phan, 26, of Anaheim, California, died September 12 in a single-vehicle non-combat related accident while conducting a routine patrol outside the perimeter of Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
He was assigned to the 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.
Senior Airman Jason Khai Phan
The crash left two other soldiers injured, but they were expected to recover. The three were outside the base’s perimeter and on routine patrol when he was killed in a crash, Pentagon officials said.
Squadron commander Maj. Shane Watts said:
“Senior Airman Jason Phan was an exceptionally noble servant to the nation and his fellow airmen. His tireless commitment to master his craft made him a credible and reliable teammate in critical situations. But it was his genuine enthusiasm and selfless devotion to others that defined the depth of his character and inspiration to his peers and leaders. Jason lived with passion and shared compassion with purpose to everyone. He will be sorely missed by the defenders here, and I’m extremely grateful for and humbled by his service. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.”
The Anaheim native began serving the 66th Security Forces Squadron at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts in October of 2018. He took part in the 24-Hour End of Watch Memorial Run, an event held by his squadron in May during National Police Week, just before departing overseas.
Phan was supporting efforts to combat Islamic State as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, military officials said. He was deployed to Kuwait in July to assist security operations.
His duties while on base included first aid and police work. He was recently approved to become a military working dog handler, and was supposed to attend training courses in Texas after returning from deployment.
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol.
Phan’s remains will be flown back to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. He was unmarried and had no children.
Rest in peace, Senior Airman Jason Khai Phan, you have served with honor and will be greatly missed.
LINKS:
DoD News Release
The Orange County Register
The Air Force Times
About The IGTNT Series
"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 in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, JaxDem, Joy of Fishes, SARBill 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 member(s) mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
