News>Defense officials identify Air Force casualties
Photos
Lt. Col. Mark E. Stratton speaks to a crowd of more than 5,000 people who attended the groundbreaking ceremony in the Safied Shahir village of Panjshir?s Khenj district for a road to Badakshan province, March 30. Colonel Stratton was killed in action in Afghanistan May 26. Colonel Stratton was the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team commander. (U.S. Army photo)
Senior Airman Ashton Goodman was killed in action in Afghanistan May 26. Airman Goodman was assigned to 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Senior Airman Ashton Goodman was killed in action in Afghanistan May 26. Airman Goodman was assigned to 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Lt. Col. Mark Stratton talks to villagers about a micro hydro pump provided by the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan March 4. The micro hydro uses water to create power for the village. Colonel Stratton was killed in action in Afghanistan May 26. Colonel Stratton was the Panjshir PRT commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)
5/27/2009 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Department of Defense officials announced May 27 the death of two Airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died May 26 near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device.
Killed was Lt. Col. Mark E. Stratton II, 39, of Houston, who was deployed as the commander of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team. He was assigned to the Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. as an executive assistant for the Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs, Asia.
Also killed was Senior Airman Ashton L. M. Goodman, 21, of Indianapolis, who was also deployed to the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team. She was assigned to the 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.
A senior navigator for the RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft, Colonel Stratton previously served on the staff at U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
Lt. Col. Stratton received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1992 following his graduation from Texas A&M University in 1991.
Senior Airman Goodman, a vehicle operator dispatcher, enlisted in July 2006. Pope Air Force Base was her first duty assignment.
For further information about Colonel Stratton, please contact the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs office at (703) 695-0640.
For further information about Airman Goodman, please contact the Pope Air Force Base Public Affairs office at (910) 394-4183.
Comments
6/11/2009 8:41:06 AM ET Mark will be missed...a friend and true professional. He believed in what he was doing devoted himself to his family and the mission and is respected by many. Please keep his wonderful wife and kids in your prayers as God has called back one of his most compasionate and devoted angels. I and many others are better people because of his example...and he will continue as we emulate his wonderful qualities.
Lt Col Brian Hinsvark, Andersen AF
6/4/2009 2:04:13 PM ET Mark was one of the good guys. We worked in the Joint Staff J-5 together from 2006-2007. He was friendly to all had a quick wit and a smile on his face whenever we crossed paths in the halls of the Pentagon. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Jon J. Petruzzi, Scottsdale AZ
6/1/2009 2:33:24 PM ET Lt Col Mark Stratton was a great husband father Airman and leader I was stationed with him at Offutt AFB where he worked in the office next to me. He will be missed by many we have lost a great AF leader.
