2 Patrick Air Force Base airmen among those killed in Iraq helicopter crash

Two airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing out of Patrick Air Force Base were among the seven crew members killed in a helicopter crash in western Iraq on Thursday.

Master Sgt. William R. Posch, 36, of Indialantic, and Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis, 31, of Tallahassee were on the aircraft when it crashed, killing all aboard, according to Air Force officials. Both were rescue specialists assigned to the 308th Rescue Squadron. The Air Force Reserve unit is based out of Patrick.

More:Tallahassee Air Force Staff Sgt. Carl Enis killed in Iraq helicopter crash

The 308th Rescue Squadron, part of the 920th Rescue Wing, is one of the Air Force Reserve's elite rescue units, specializing in critical trauma care and search and rescue. Sunday, the flag was flown at half-staff on Patrick Air Force Base in remembrance of the airmen. 

“No words can heal the pain from the loss of these true American heroes,” said Col. Kurt Matthews, commander of the 920th Rescue Wing, in a statement. “You can be proud knowing that MSgt. Posch and SSgt. Enis gave their last full measure performing their mission and serving our most noble Pararescue creed: ‘These things we do, that others may live.' "

Posch and Enis, both highly decorated airmen, were serving in combat roles on their current deployment, Air Force officials said.

Posch, an Indialantic resident, was an 18-year veteran of the Air Force. He served the last 10 years with the 920th Rescue Wing and is credited with 140 combat rescues. Among his many missions, he assisted in rescue operations in Texas after Hurricane Harvey and took part in a long-range sea mission last July to rescue a pair of stranded German sailors. 

His decorations include the Air Medal with silver oak leaf cluster; an Aerial Achievement Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor.

Enis was an eight-year veteran and joined the 920th Rescue Wing in 2010. Among his decorations are the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster; the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

The HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, a variation on the UH-60 Black Hawk, went down at about 2:45 p.m. EST Thursday during a troop transport mission outside the Iraqi city of Qaim in Anbar Province, Pentagon officials said.

The incident remains under investigation, but officials do not believe it was the result of enemy fire.

"This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations," said Brig. General Jonathan Braga of the Combined Joint Task Force, in a statement. "We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today."

Also killed was Capt. Mark K. Weber, 29, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

Four of the airmen were assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing at the Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, New York:

• Capt. Andreas B. O’Keeffe, 37, of Center Moriches, New York.
• Capt. Christopher T. Zanetis, 37, of Long Island City, New York.
• Master Sgt. Christopher J. Raguso, 39, of Commack, New York.
• Staff Sgt. Dashan J. Briggs, 30, of Port Jefferson Station, New York.

Zanetis and Raguso were New York City firefighters prior to being deployed, the New York Times reported Friday.

President Trump offered condolences to the victims' families in a Tweet on Friday: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the brave troops lost in the helicopter crash on the Iraq-Syria border yesterday. Their sacrifice in service to our country will never be forgotten."

In a statement issued Sunday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said: “The loss of Master Sgt. William R. Posch, Staff Sgt. Carl Enis and their fellow armed service members is devastating. The deaths of these brave men serve as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and commitment made by our nation’s military to secure and protect the freedom we all cherish as Americans."

Scott said he and his wife, Ann, "know Staff Sgt. Enis’ family personally, and we grieve with them today. I ask that every Floridian pause to remember Master Sgt. William R. Posch and Staff Sgt. Enis and all of those lost in this tragedy.”

Two other Americans have died in Iraq in noncombat incidents since the first of the year. Thursday's incident marks the first fatal U.S. helicopter crash in the region since U.S. forces began fighting ISIS there in 2014.

U.S.-led Coalition forces conduct border operations from an outpost in Qaim, located about 20 miles from the Iraq/Syria border.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to their families," Matthews said. "In the face of this tragedy, we will honor their service and sacrifice and join their loved ones in mourning the immense void left behind by the loss of these great men – our rescue brothers.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717

or esrogers@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @EricRogersFT

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