Fifth Airman lost from Afghanistan helicopter incident

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NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) --  Department of Defense officials have announced the loss of a fifth Airman from an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter which crashed in southeastern Afghanistan June 9.

Capt. David Wisniewski, 31, an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter pilot assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron here passed away at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., July 2 from injuries received during the incident. Four other Airmen were killed and two were wounded.

The Airmen were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and responsible for casualty evacuation.

Born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and raised Moville, Iowa, Captain Wisniewski attended Woodbury Central High School before attending the U.S. Air Force Academy where he graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.

During his eight-year career, Captain Wisniewski had logged more than 1,500 flight hours, flown 289 combat hours and is credited with saving numerous lives, including several during his most recent deployment to Afghanistan.

"In one day, Dave was key in saving 40 people during the largest single mass casualty mission in Regional Command South," said Lt. Col. Thomas Dorl, commander of the 66th RQS. "This was no small feat as he braved enemy action and flew into a hot landing zone three times to save people."

Captain Wisniewski's awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. A memorial service will be held at Nellis Air Force Base in honor of Captain Wisniewski at a date yet to be determined and he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

The two injured Airmen from the helicopter mission, both from Nellis AFB, are Capt. Anthony Simone, a helicopter pilot assigned to the 66th RQS and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Aguilera, an aerial gunner assigned to the 66th RQS. Both Airmen are recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.