Three airmen died Jan. 5 in Shir ghazi in Helmand province, Afghanistan, when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device, announced the Defense Department. Killed were: TSgt. Matthew S. Schwartz, 34, of Traverse City, Mich.; SrA. Bryan R. Bell, 23, of Erie, Pa.; and A1C Matthew R. Seidler, 24, of Westminster, Md. Schwartz was assigned to the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. Bell was a member of the 2nd CES at Barksdale AFB, La. Seidler’s home unit was the 21st CES at Peterson AFB, Colo.
The first A-10 "Warthog" departed Warfield Air National Guard Base, Md., last week, the first step in a process that could leave Maryland Air Guard the only one among the 50 states without a flying mission. Negotiations to acquire a follow-on flying mission have stalled.