Group members dedicate camp to fallen hero

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jamie Humphries
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  Members of the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group at Kandahar Air Wing dedicated their camp recently at a ceremony to honor the life of Maj. Charles Ransom.

Major Ransom was assigned to the 738th AEAG when he died as a result of wounds received from enemy gunfire at the Afghan air force base compound here April 27, along with seven other Airmen and one civilian contractor.

The 2001 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute was deployed to the 738th AEAG from the 83rd Network Operations Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. where he served in cyberspace operations. While assigned to the 738th AEAG, he acted as an adviser to Afghan communications professionals.

The idea to name the camp after Major Ransom was led by Master Sgt. Jeff Eshleman, deployed to the 738th AEAG. He was assisted in the project by Tech. Sgt. Rachel Youkey who painted U.S. and Afghan Flags by hand and Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Kreuger and Spc. Marisol Munoz who cut, sanded, painted and sealed pieces used to create the memorial sign displayed at the camp.

"Major Ransom was a friend, a close co-worker and a well-respected professional that we all looked up to," Sergeant Eshleman said. "I wanted to honor him in some way. I hope all take comfort in knowing the deep respect we all hold for those who have lost their lives and the price that some pay.

Memorial services to honor the life of Major Ransom were held at KAW and Langley AFB, April 30 and May 12, respectively.

"The saying is that you learn something from everyone, good or bad," said Maj. May King, the Integrated Network Operations and Security Center East flight commander. "From working with Charles for the past three years, I've only learned good things from him, to include how to be a better leader.

"In addition to being a high caliber officer, Charles was a good person," he continued. "He put others first always and was the type of person to give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. I am honored to have worked with and known Charles."