CAOC memorializes Airman’s sacrifice

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alicia Prakash
  • U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  A New York Airman, who was killed when responding to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center, was honored Dec. 22 when the Combined Air Operations Center entry control point was rededicated in his honor.

After the closing of the old CAOC entry point Dec. 9, the rededication of the new entry point remembered the heroic Airman -- Staff Sgt. Andrew “Andy” Brunn.

“Now that the CAOC gate has relocated, we didn’t want to forget our fellow Airmen,” said Col. Gregory Touhill, the CAOC’s command, control, communications and computer systems director.

Sergeant Brunn served as a New York Air National Guardsman with the 213th Engineering Installation Squadron and was a firefighter with Manhattan’s Ladder Company 5, one of the first units to respond to the airliner attacks on the trade center.

“He made his way to the 35th floor, when the call came for him and his team to evacuate,” Colonel Touhill said.

Sergeant Brunn and his team were helping two injured civilians down the stairwell when the tower caved in.

“When the building collapsed, they were on the fifth floor,” Colonel Touhill said.

According to his co-workers, Sergeant Brunn died doing something he enjoyed -- helping others.

Sergeant Brunn spent most of his adult life serving others, first in the military during Operation Southern Watch, as a police officer, and then as a firefighter. He had been firefighter with Manhattan’s Ladder Company for two months at the time of the attacks.

Maj. Gen. Allen Peck, Deputy Combined Forces Air Component commander talked about Sergeant Brunn’s life and how he should be remembered.

“We face great challenges and tests every day. We can and should be thankful, happy and as proud to serve as Andy was,” General Peck said.

The sign with Brunn’s name on it “will remind us each time we enter this gate to remain true, remain strong and remain on target,” said 1st Lt. Steven Cavin, Communications Focal Point chief, deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla.

“I want everyone to remember Staff Sgt. Brunn as a man who gave his life while serving others,” Colonel Touhill said. “His devotion to duty is an example that each of us on the coalition team should focus on as we perform our mission.”