Gate dedicated to Lakenheath hero

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. J. LaVoie
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (AFPN) --  A quiet reverence overtook Gate 2 here June 1 as members of the 48th Security Forces Squadron dedicated the new gate to a fallen member of Royal Air Force Lakenheath.

Senior Airman Jason D. Nathan deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was mortally wounded by an improvised explosive device June 23, 2007, while on a combat patrol in Tikrit, Iraq.

In addition to distinguished visitors, several Airmen who served in Iraq with Airman Nathan were in attendance. One of those was Capt. Gregory Bodenstein of the 48th Security Forces Squadron who was deployed as the Tikrit district police transition team leader. 

"Airman Nathan represents the absolute best of what the Air Force brings to the fight every day," Captain Bodenstein said. "The wing dedicating the gate to him shows the Air Force truly appreciates the contributions those of us with boots on the ground make to the war on terror every day."

For others who knew Airman Nathan, the dedication is a lasting legacy.

"I feel it is something that will always be here, and a reminder of Nate," said Senior Airman Derek McCaghren of the 48th SFS and Airman Nathan's deployed truck commander. "The gate is the first posting for most security forces Airmen. They will know how he sacrificed."

To help maintain the legacy, all Airmen posted to the Senior Airman Jason D. Nathan Gate will have to memorize a special post briefing. 

Also in attendance at the ceremony was Airman Nathan's family, his grandfather, Rev. Lorenzo Holt, his sister, Janelle, and his mother, Phyllis Nathan. In addition to attending the ceremony, his family was able to spend time with the unit.

"His mom told me she doesn't blame me," Captain Bodenstein said. "When he died, I felt a lot of guilt. I was hard on myself and second guessed myself. His mother told me her son wanted to serve and wanted to be in security forces. She said she was proud of him and that she has no regrets and he had no regrets."

The opportunity to meet Airman Nathan's family seemed to be good for the entire team.

"I was anxious," Airman McCaghren said. "I didn't know what to expect and I wanted everything to be OK with (his mother) and the team, and it was. It was awesome. There was a great weight on my shoulders about how his family felt. As soon as I hugged her, the weight lifted."

During the time spent together, his team members reminisced of Airman Nathan. They talked of the practical jokes he would play, and how spiritual he was. They also had an opportunity to tell Ms. Nathan about his accomplishments as an Airman.

"(Airman Nathan) was dependable," Captain Bodenstein said. "In combat you need to be able to depend on your Airman. It's life or death. There was never any question with him. You could depend on him."

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