1 00:00:02,339 --> 00:00:03,589 - Good evening. 2 00:00:04,241 --> 00:00:06,396 My name is Captain Michael O'Hagan. 3 00:00:06,396 --> 00:00:08,586 I'm the Public Affairs Officer for the 4 00:00:08,586 --> 00:00:10,086 106th Rescue Wing. 5 00:00:11,232 --> 00:00:14,910 The 106th Rescue Wing specializes in worldwide 6 00:00:14,910 --> 00:00:18,910 personal recovery of pilots, military personnel, 7 00:00:20,004 --> 00:00:23,087 and civilians, by air, land, and sea, 8 00:00:24,217 --> 00:00:26,634 during combat and peace time. 9 00:00:28,515 --> 00:00:31,598 First, on behalf of the men and women 10 00:00:31,956 --> 00:00:36,039 of the 106th Rescue Wing and our extended family, 11 00:00:36,605 --> 00:00:40,272 I want to offer up our most sincere, deepest 12 00:00:41,012 --> 00:00:44,095 condolences for all those affected by 13 00:00:44,113 --> 00:00:45,946 this horrific tragedy. 14 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:50,983 Most especially, the loved ones 15 00:00:51,342 --> 00:00:53,592 and families of our fallen. 16 00:00:56,722 --> 00:00:59,767 Our hearts and prayers and support go out to them 17 00:00:59,767 --> 00:01:02,100 through this difficult time. 18 00:01:02,635 --> 00:01:04,310 As indicated in the early report from the 19 00:01:04,310 --> 00:01:07,730 Department of Defense, at approximately 2:45 pm, 20 00:01:07,730 --> 00:01:10,730 Eastern Standard Time on March 15th, 21 00:01:11,134 --> 00:01:14,557 four NY Air National Guard airmen were part 22 00:01:14,557 --> 00:01:17,640 of a seven member team who died in an 23 00:01:18,082 --> 00:01:22,332 HH-60G PAVE Hawk helicopter crash, in western Iraq. 24 00:01:26,241 --> 00:01:27,964 One of those six rescue wing personnel were 25 00:01:27,964 --> 00:01:32,214 operating in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. 26 00:01:32,233 --> 00:01:34,121 The American-led coalition operation to defeat 27 00:01:34,121 --> 00:01:36,038 ISIS in Iraq and Syria. 28 00:01:37,325 --> 00:01:40,362 The crash does not appear to be a result 29 00:01:40,362 --> 00:01:41,862 of enemy activity. 30 00:01:42,174 --> 00:01:45,014 The crash is still under investigation, 31 00:01:45,014 --> 00:01:47,696 so please understand, details cannot 32 00:01:47,696 --> 00:01:49,779 be released at this time. 33 00:01:50,966 --> 00:01:55,133 Among our fallen were Caption Christopher Zanetis, 34 00:01:55,828 --> 00:01:56,995 known as Trip. 35 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:58,153 Age 37. 36 00:01:59,738 --> 00:02:01,405 Of Long Island City. 37 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:06,637 Chris was an HH-60G PAVE Hawk helicopter pilot. 38 00:02:07,102 --> 00:02:09,435 He joined the 106th in 2008. 39 00:02:10,139 --> 00:02:12,556 And was a member of the FDNY. 40 00:02:13,579 --> 00:02:17,106 Trip recently joined a law form, a law firm 41 00:02:17,106 --> 00:02:21,106 Debevoise & Plimpton in NY city as an associate. 42 00:02:22,451 --> 00:02:25,618 He's deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. 43 00:02:27,254 --> 00:02:29,337 Captain Andreas O'Keeffe. 44 00:02:30,070 --> 00:02:30,903 37. 45 00:02:31,504 --> 00:02:33,837 Resident of Center Moriches. 46 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:37,227 Also an HH-60 PAVE hawk helicopter pilot, 47 00:02:37,227 --> 00:02:41,374 and he was an air guardsman who worked here full time. 48 00:02:41,374 --> 00:02:44,707 He joined the 106th Rescue Wing in 2013. 49 00:02:45,366 --> 00:02:47,878 He deployed to Iraq three times. 50 00:02:47,878 --> 00:02:51,296 And also to Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, 51 00:02:51,296 --> 00:02:54,129 and Texas during Hurricane Harvey. 52 00:02:56,300 --> 00:02:59,168 Master Sergeant Christopher Raguso. 53 00:02:59,168 --> 00:03:03,002 Goose, as he was affectionately called by us here. 54 00:03:03,002 --> 00:03:06,335 Just turned 39 the day before the crash. 55 00:03:09,627 --> 00:03:13,960 Of Commack, he was an HH-60 special missions aviator 56 00:03:15,493 --> 00:03:16,826 flight engineer. 57 00:03:17,243 --> 00:03:20,376 He joined the 106th Rescue Wing in 2001, 58 00:03:20,376 --> 00:03:23,209 and was also a member of the FDNY. 59 00:03:24,982 --> 00:03:28,175 He deployed to Iraq, twice to Afghanistan, 60 00:03:28,175 --> 00:03:30,667 once to the Horn of Africa, and to Texas 61 00:03:30,667 --> 00:03:34,750 and the Caribbean for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. 62 00:03:34,921 --> 00:03:38,642 He leaves behind his wife, Carmella, and daughters, 63 00:03:38,642 --> 00:03:40,725 Nela, six, and Eva, five. 64 00:03:43,568 --> 00:03:45,985 Staff Sergeant Dashan Briggs. 65 00:03:46,117 --> 00:03:48,617 30, of Port Jefferson Station. 66 00:03:49,466 --> 00:03:53,383 Was an HH-60 missions aviation flight engineer. 67 00:03:54,206 --> 00:03:56,539 He joined the 106th in 2010. 68 00:03:59,358 --> 00:04:02,691 He was a full-time military member here. 69 00:04:03,097 --> 00:04:05,367 He deployed to Afghanistan, Texas, and the Caribbean 70 00:04:05,367 --> 00:04:07,867 for Hurricane Harvey and Irma. 71 00:04:08,377 --> 00:04:12,877 He leaves behind his wife, Rebecca, son, Jaden, three, 72 00:04:13,828 --> 00:04:15,745 and daughter, Eva, two. 73 00:04:17,935 --> 00:04:20,448 These four brave men were all assigned to the 74 00:04:20,448 --> 00:04:22,281 101st Rescue squadron. 75 00:04:23,822 --> 00:04:27,405 So you understand in the 106th Rescue Wing, 76 00:04:27,584 --> 00:04:30,167 we have three flying squadrons. 77 00:04:30,175 --> 00:04:32,675 The 101st are the helicopters. 78 00:04:32,781 --> 00:04:35,698 The 102nd are the HD-130 airplanes. 79 00:04:36,746 --> 00:04:39,913 And the 103rd are our Pararescue Team. 80 00:04:41,089 --> 00:04:44,493 At present, we are awaiting the arrival of 81 00:04:44,493 --> 00:04:48,101 our fallen heroes from overseas, back to Dover 82 00:04:48,101 --> 00:04:51,434 airforce base here in the United States. 83 00:04:51,569 --> 00:04:53,463 We expect this to take place sometime over 84 00:04:53,463 --> 00:04:56,213 the next few days, at which point 85 00:04:56,580 --> 00:05:00,688 they will be prepared with dignity, honor, and respect, 86 00:05:00,688 --> 00:05:03,140 for their return to their loved ones, 87 00:05:03,140 --> 00:05:06,390 to travel to their final resting place. 88 00:05:08,835 --> 00:05:11,479 A family assistance representative is there for 89 00:05:11,479 --> 00:05:15,312 each family and they're their to provide care, 90 00:05:16,257 --> 00:05:19,924 service support through this difficult time. 91 00:05:20,174 --> 00:05:22,509 These members know these men. 92 00:05:22,509 --> 00:05:25,311 And they have served alongside each other. 93 00:05:25,311 --> 00:05:27,896 We have a team of professionals dedicated to 94 00:05:27,896 --> 00:05:31,813 helping loved ones through this entire process. 95 00:05:32,228 --> 00:05:36,145 And our Wing is dedicated to offer the hightest 96 00:05:36,322 --> 00:05:39,438 honors we can, as we put our heroes to rest 97 00:05:39,438 --> 00:05:41,605 with full military burial. 98 00:05:43,307 --> 00:05:45,557 As desired by the families, 99 00:05:47,326 --> 00:05:48,409 as they wish, 100 00:05:48,733 --> 00:05:51,150 we will respect their wishes. 101 00:05:52,018 --> 00:05:55,482 We will mourn the loss of this seven man team 102 00:05:55,482 --> 00:05:58,649 from active duty, guard, and reserves. 103 00:06:00,659 --> 00:06:04,326 As said best by one of our brothers in arms, 104 00:06:04,554 --> 00:06:08,971 "We will continue your legacy, that others may live." 105 00:06:20,137 --> 00:06:23,268 Now, if you have any questions, I'll try my best 106 00:06:23,268 --> 00:06:24,886 to provide any answers or insight that I 107 00:06:24,886 --> 00:06:28,212 might be able to provide under the current conditions, 108 00:06:28,212 --> 00:06:30,492 so, thank you so much for coming out. 109 00:06:30,492 --> 00:06:32,946 Thank you to our community that we serve in, 110 00:06:32,946 --> 00:06:35,433 for the support has been overwhelming, 111 00:06:35,433 --> 00:06:38,069 and we are so incredibly grateful 112 00:06:38,069 --> 00:06:41,373 for all those who have offered words of kindness 113 00:06:41,373 --> 00:06:43,706 and support to the families. 114 00:06:44,782 --> 00:06:47,449 This is where we live and serve. 115 00:06:48,125 --> 00:06:50,375 And, our hearts are broken. 116 00:06:55,843 --> 00:06:59,535 And if you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer. 117 00:06:59,535 --> 00:07:01,201 - [Man In Audience] Can you give a sense of when 118 00:07:01,201 --> 00:07:03,215 they had been expected to come back, 119 00:07:03,215 --> 00:07:04,708 prior to this accident? 120 00:07:04,708 --> 00:07:08,843 - Sir, yes, so basically the way that works out is, 121 00:07:08,843 --> 00:07:10,926 at present, we are unable 122 00:07:11,651 --> 00:07:14,484 to release any operational details 123 00:07:14,814 --> 00:07:16,523 as to the security of folks 124 00:07:16,523 --> 00:07:18,273 that we have serving. 125 00:07:20,070 --> 00:07:22,684 We don't wanna put out any details that could put 126 00:07:22,684 --> 00:07:24,351 folks in harm's way. 127 00:07:26,658 --> 00:07:27,491 - [Man In Audience] I assume there will be 128 00:07:27,491 --> 00:07:29,491 a memorial service here? 129 00:07:31,017 --> 00:07:34,008 - So, the way this works is the members 130 00:07:34,008 --> 00:07:36,333 are transported back to the United States 131 00:07:36,333 --> 00:07:38,333 to Dover Air Force Base. 132 00:07:39,065 --> 00:07:42,898 And as each family wishes, we will do our best 133 00:07:42,979 --> 00:07:45,885 to honor and respect the wishes of the family. 134 00:07:45,885 --> 00:07:50,433 And our members, some members will be traveling back here 135 00:07:50,433 --> 00:07:53,516 to Long Island, where others may not. 136 00:07:55,277 --> 00:07:58,088 That's still up in the air, so we're waiting 137 00:07:58,088 --> 00:08:03,005 the final decision of the families on some of those issues. 138 00:08:03,384 --> 00:08:05,643 - [Man In Audience] Was Mr. O'Keefe, was he 139 00:08:05,643 --> 00:08:08,576 from Long Island, do you know, originally? 140 00:08:08,576 --> 00:08:11,772 I know he lives in Center Moriches now, but. 141 00:08:11,772 --> 00:08:16,022 - I do not know if he, if Andy was from Long Island 142 00:08:16,430 --> 00:08:18,368 originally, I'm not sure. 143 00:08:18,368 --> 00:08:20,718 Same as yourself, I believe I know 144 00:08:20,718 --> 00:08:24,051 he did have some time with the DC guard, 145 00:08:25,142 --> 00:08:26,309 and elsewhere. 146 00:08:27,723 --> 00:08:30,402 Served in a RC-46 mission as well. 147 00:08:30,402 --> 00:08:31,569 RC-26 mission. 148 00:08:31,919 --> 00:08:36,669 So, I believe he actually came to us later in his career. 149 00:08:40,254 --> 00:08:41,356 - [Man In Audience] Can you talk about the sacrifices 150 00:08:41,356 --> 00:08:44,823 these folks make just to be part of this, and... 151 00:08:44,823 --> 00:08:45,656 - Sure. 152 00:08:45,764 --> 00:08:47,063 - [Man In Audience] To deploy in Iraq 153 00:08:47,063 --> 00:08:48,938 - Yeah, thank you so much for that question. 154 00:08:48,938 --> 00:08:52,593 So, I think it's important for folks to understand 155 00:08:52,593 --> 00:08:57,176 that we are the International Guard, so what that means 156 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:00,368 for folks that are outside of the know, 157 00:09:00,368 --> 00:09:02,451 is we are citizen airmen. 158 00:09:04,330 --> 00:09:07,453 We serve and do this role, and train to the 159 00:09:07,453 --> 00:09:10,792 highest standards, and are able to deploy worldwide, 160 00:09:10,792 --> 00:09:12,629 and carry out the job, and the function, 161 00:09:12,629 --> 00:09:16,296 and execute the mission, but many of us have 162 00:09:16,948 --> 00:09:19,198 another life as a civilian, 163 00:09:20,866 --> 00:09:23,143 and civilian employment, as you saw with two 164 00:09:23,143 --> 00:09:25,393 of our members in the FDNY. 165 00:09:25,613 --> 00:09:28,530 One served with a law firm, shortly 166 00:09:31,934 --> 00:09:35,184 a while ago, so it's very, very common. 167 00:09:35,402 --> 00:09:37,305 That's the composite of our Wing. 168 00:09:37,305 --> 00:09:39,713 The 106 Rescue Wing is made up of people that 169 00:09:39,713 --> 00:09:43,380 are some full-time, some part-time, could be 170 00:09:43,793 --> 00:09:46,458 everything from FDNY to police officers, to nurses, 171 00:09:46,458 --> 00:09:49,125 to teachers, to business owners, 172 00:09:49,586 --> 00:09:51,124 and everything in between. 173 00:09:51,124 --> 00:09:54,457 So it is a very unique situation in that 174 00:09:55,154 --> 00:09:58,465 all those, all that experience from the outside 175 00:09:58,465 --> 00:10:01,009 world is brought to bare, and helps make our Wing 176 00:10:01,009 --> 00:10:03,455 better to carry out the mission, so whatever they do 177 00:10:03,455 --> 00:10:06,202 in uniform, they may have a whole different skill set 178 00:10:06,202 --> 00:10:08,952 that comes to, you know, help out 179 00:10:09,622 --> 00:10:12,167 in what we do, as we go out there and do our jobs 180 00:10:12,167 --> 00:10:13,584 around the world. 181 00:10:16,023 --> 00:10:17,861 - [Man In Audience] What's the mood like inside here, 182 00:10:17,861 --> 00:10:20,167 I mean, how are people feeling? 183 00:10:20,167 --> 00:10:23,250 - I think that everyone is processing 184 00:10:23,867 --> 00:10:27,784 differently, I'm sure, but I can absolutely say 185 00:10:27,790 --> 00:10:31,674 from the top level of leadership to the most junior 186 00:10:31,674 --> 00:10:34,841 airmen, everyone is absolutely feeling 187 00:10:34,842 --> 00:10:38,342 the weight of this news, and sad, and it's 188 00:10:39,348 --> 00:10:41,477 no other way to put it then heartbreaking, 189 00:10:41,477 --> 00:10:43,621 because as we serve alongside each other, 190 00:10:43,621 --> 00:10:46,871 and get to know each other, and deploy, 191 00:10:47,437 --> 00:10:49,648 and spend time together doing the mission, 192 00:10:49,648 --> 00:10:51,648 it's, you can't help but 193 00:10:54,836 --> 00:10:56,720 be crushed thinking about their families, 194 00:10:56,720 --> 00:10:59,394 and all those that love them, and I think 195 00:10:59,394 --> 00:11:01,203 it's a state of shock in a big way, I think 196 00:11:01,203 --> 00:11:05,203 people are still reeling in shock from the news. 197 00:11:15,285 --> 00:11:18,118 Is anyone else have any questions? 198 00:11:18,304 --> 00:11:19,830 - [Man In Audience] That's it, thank you. 199 00:11:19,830 --> 00:11:20,728 - Thank you again so much. 200 00:11:20,728 --> 00:11:22,384 I really appreciate the support in helping 201 00:11:22,384 --> 00:11:23,938 spread the word of these heroes, 202 00:11:23,938 --> 00:11:25,481 and letting people know exactly what happened here. 203 00:11:25,481 --> 00:11:28,148 That's one thing that obviously, 204 00:11:29,038 --> 00:11:30,922 you know, we're very glad to have is 205 00:11:30,922 --> 00:11:33,649 the ability to, kind of, keep their legacy alive, 206 00:11:33,649 --> 00:11:34,565 and tell their story. 207 00:11:34,565 --> 00:11:36,007 So thank you for that. 208 00:11:36,007 --> 00:11:38,507 - [ Man In Audience] Thank you.