Memorial Service for Lakenheath Airman slated for Friday

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
A memorial service at RAF Lakenheath will be held for Airman 1st Class Jason D. Nathan, 22, of Macon, Ga., at 10 a.m. Friday in Hangar 6, RAF Lakenheath. All members of Team Mildenhall are welcome to attend the service. 

Airman Nathan was selected for promotion Below-the-Zone to senior airman Friday, the day prior to his death. He will be posthumously awarded the rank of senior airman at the Memorial Ceremony.

The 48th Security Forces Squadron Airman was killed Saturday while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He died June 23, in Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on patrol. 

"It is with great sadness that I inform you of the loss of a superb Liberty Wing Airman," Brig. Gen. John Hesterman, 48th Fighter Wing commander, said in a message to the base populace today. "Saturday afternoon, 23 June 2007, Airman 1st Class Jason Nathan, a devoted [U.S. Air Force] security forces 'defender,' was killed in action while in service to our country."

While deployed, Airman Nathan was assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Detachment 6, 732nd Air Expeditionary Group, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, at Camp Speicher, Iraq. At the time of the incident, Airman Nathan was performing gunner duties with his squad in support of a very difficult Iraq Police Transition Team mission when an IED detonated and struck his vehicle.

"Airman Nathan was a superb young Airman, dedicated warrior and valued patriot who died in an effort to make Iraq safer," General Hesterman said.

He is survived by his mother, father and his 48th FW family.

"His death is a significant loss for his family, our Liberty Wing family and the United States Air Force. Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult period," General Hesterman said. "His parents, squadron wingmen here and in Iraq, and countless friends across the U.S.A.F. will mourn his death. Please remember all of them in your thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks ahead."

Editor's note: For more information contact the 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 226-2151.