Photo Provided
U.S. Air Force Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, stands in front of a F-16 Fighting Falcon in Afghanistan after a combat mission. Capt. Steel was killed April 3, 2013, after his aircraft crashed returning to base from a close air support mission.
BY CAPT. ANN BLODZINSKI 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
It was what they wore underneath their uniforms this week that told a story of commitment, friendship and respect.
Col. Shaun McGrath, 20th Operations Group commander, on Monday allowed members of the operations group to wear 77th Fighter Squadron "Gamblers" red and black T-shirts under their duty uniforms to honor pilot Capt. James Steel, who died April 3 when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Afghanistan. He is the first aviator lost in combat from the 20th Fighter Wing since 1945 during World War II in England.
The 77th, known as the Gamblers, has been deployed since the fall of 2012. In total, Steel flew 85 combat missions, and his efforts in combat saved American and coalition service members' lives, according to Lt. Col. Johnny Vargas, 77th Fighter Squadron commander.
"He flew with great passion and as sad as his loss is, know that Mano (Steel's call sign) died doing what he loved to do. He died serving his country, protecting his fellow service members and accomplishing our nation's objectives. He died a fighter pilot. A hero."
Read more here: http://www.theitem.com/air_force_news
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