U.S., Australian forces honor fallen coalition member Published Dec. 8, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Vincent Borden 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- U.S. Central Command's busiest aerial port of debarkation, or APOD, located at an air base in Southwest Asia, serves as the place of duty for Airmen of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group and the 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, as well as sister service and coalition force members. But it also serves as a transit point for patriots. These patriots from across the military stratum come here on their return home from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, both to be prepared for burial and to be thanked for their sacrifices in the war on terrorism. The sight of a ceremony to honor a fallen comrade is not uncommon at the APOD; these ceremonies are done regularly as fallen servicemembers arrive and depart on their way back to their home countries. On Dec. 2, Australian Lt. Michael Fussell, a Royal Australian Regiment commando killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan Nov. 27, arrived at the APOD on his way back to Australia, prompting a ceremony different from the ones normally seen at the port. It was styled in the Australian military tradition. For the first time in a long time, the majority of members running the procession, carrying the casket and presenting a salute weren't American. However, the difference did nothing to stem the sadness of the sacrifice. Sprinkled among the Australians standing at attention with salutes raised, flanking the sides of Lieutenant Fussell were U.S. Airmen, Sailors and Marines. The joint ceremony showed the cohesiveness of coalition forces and their operations in the CENTCOM AOR. "It's a tragic event that we all feel," said Maj. Gen. Mike Hindmarsh, commander of Australian forces in the Middle East Area of Operations. "The coalition effort and partnership is very tight between Australia, the United States and the other coalition partners, and is reflected by what the Americans are doing by participating." For some Airmen, the ceremony was a new experience. Tech. Sgts. Lacittra Barnett and Karen Stoffle, both assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, had never participated in a coalition memorial service. But standing in the formation, their salutes held high with solemnity and somberness, both of them had thoughts of their own service and the meaning of sacrifice. And they both decided, if they had the opportunity, they would pay tribute again. Sergeant Stoffle's ruminations were of compassion for the surviving members of his family. She personally knows what it's like to lose a loved one to the rigors of military service. "I [hope] the pain will be taken away from their families and that they'll be able to move on with their lives," she said. She also considered the sincerity of it all. "It was something special just to know his name," Sergeant Stoffle said. Sergeant Barnett considered the honor of participating in the ceremony, especially in the deployed environment. "To be able to pay tribute to a fallen comrade and salute him for paying the ultimate sacrifice is one of the best things I have experienced on my deployment here," said the sergeant, who is deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Even for those who have conducted their daily business around the mortuary affairs center at the APOD, where the bodies from battle are brought, the ceremony still meant something special. To Chief Master Sgt. David Niehaus from the 387th AEG, they all do. "It brings home the sacrifice that so many people are giving for their country up north," said Chief Niehaus. "Every time I help carry a coffin off an airplane, it really drives home the danger out there. And every one of them moves me. So many of these soldiers come in, they're younger than my children, and yet they've given their lives for their country. It's inspiring." Lieutenant Fussell will travel to the RAAF base in Richmond, New South Wales, for a final memorial service commemorating his death and service in the Australian Army. He was 25 years old Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page