Remembering pilot slain in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Capt. Amy West
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) --  Quiet giant. Humble. Tremendously respected. Genuine.

These were the repeated words that friends and family members here used to describe the instructor pilot who was among the nine Americans killed during the April 27 Kabul International Airport shooting.

Lt. Col. Frank Bryant Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and the Air Force. He was assigned to the 56th Operations Group and had been deployed to the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group in Afghanistan since June 2010.

"We're devastated by the loss of Colonel Bryant," said Brig. Gen. J.D. Harris Jr., the 56th Fighter Wing commander. "He was an excellent pilot, wingman and Airman. He excelled in everything he did."

Known by his fellow pilots and friends as "Bruiser," the Knoxville, Tenn., native began his Air Force career at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1991, where he was the 1995 wrestling team captain and most valuable player.

After graduation, he was assigned to Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., for undergraduate pilot training and subsequently as a T-37 instructor pilot. He became a decorated F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with 3,047 total flying hours, 121 of which were in combat. His assignments included Kunsan Air Base, South Korea; Shaw AFB, S.C.; and Luke AFB, Ariz. He also served a tour as an exchange pilot to the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to his most recent deployment as an air adviser to Combined Joint Chiefs of Staff Afghanistan-Pakistan Hands Program, a program designed to help coalition forces build lasting relationships with locals by providing members with language and regional cultural training, he also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

During his 16-year career, he earned his jump wings, senior pilot wings and master's degree in business administration and management. In 2008, he won the 19th Air Force Air-to-Ground Fighter Pilot Instructor of the Year award and was named the 19th Air Force Top Instructor Fighter Pilot, receiving the General William R. Looney III award.

Friends tout the affable hero as someone who excelled at everything, but you would never know it because he never bragged nor boasted, they said.

When Colonel Bryant won a very close match during the 1991 Tennessee High School State Wrestling Championship, his actions were a testament to the type of person he was, according to his sister, Amie Whitworth.

"He stood up, took his head gear off, shook his opponent's hand, then proceeded to walk away. He didn't jump up and down; he didn't yell in celebration. He just walked away ... on to his next mission."

He not only excelled at everything he did, added Whitworth, "he had an aura about him that made everyone around him want to do better."

A Luke AFB family member since August 2007, his immeasurable impact on his superiors and peers is evident.

"Lt. Col. Frank "Bruiser" Bryant was an absolute giant among men," wrote retired Lt. Col. Jeffrey Lovelace, Colonel Bryant's squadron commander while in the 63rd Fighter Squadron, on a website honoring Colonel Bryant. "I served with many exceptional officers during my Air Force career, but there was something so special about Bruiser's collective traits of leadership, humility and profound dedication that put him at the forefront of the very future of our Air Force. To say he was 'one of our nation's finest' is such a gross understatement to those who had the distinct honor of knowing him. His legacy is the inspirational enthusiasm, professionalism and love of country he instilled in the countless young officers he taught to fly the F-16."

Colonel Bryant received the Bronze Star Medal (posthumously); Purple Heart (posthumously); Air Force Combat Action Medal (posthumously); Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal, one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal, one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Air Force Outstanding Unit with valor device and two oak leaf clusters; Combat Readiness Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal (posthumously); Non-Article 5 NATO Medal (posthumously); Air Force Overseas Ribbon (short and long); Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border, one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Longevity Service, three oak leaf clusters; and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

"Frank was one of those rare individuals who was always smiling and always happy," said long-time best friend, Clarence Dunagan. "His sense of loyalty and honor were unsurpassed." 

Constantly exuding humor, "Frank had the best character of anyone I have ever met," a sentiment echoed by his friends.