U.S. Special Forces, Philippine Service members honor the fallen during "Wild 42" Memorial Observance

By U.S. Air Force Maj. Darrick B. Lee
Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines
Public Affairs 


ZAMBOANGA CITY‐ Members of Joint Special Operations Task Force ‐Philippines held a ceremony Feb 22, 2012 observing the 10th anniversary of an aircraft accident that claimed the lives of JSOTF‐P service members serving in support of Operation 

Enduring Freedom. 

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines joined U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen at Camp Navarro in paying respects to Special Operations Aviators and Air Commandos who perished when their US MH‐47E Chinook helicopter, call sign "Wild 42," went down in the Bohol Sea while returning from a mission in Basilan in 2002. 

Zamboanga City, Philippines -- A wreath sits at the base of a memorial statue during a ceremony commemorating the crash of "Wild 42." Ten members of JSOTF-P died when their U.S. MH-47E Chinook helicopter went down in the Bohol Sea while returning from a mission in Basilan in 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Darrick B. Lee/Released)

“Ten years ago today Operation Enduring Freedom‐Philippines was well underway, when tragedy struck our nation again,” said U.S. Army Chaplain (Captain) Johnnie lder, while leading a prayer. “Ten American warriors died, bringing the world‐wide war on terror casualty count to 32 that day. Let us bow our heads.” 

An intense, multi‐day search and rescue operation followed. First responders recovered remains of eight of the ten service members a few miles off the southern coast of the Negros Islands. 

During the ceremony, U.S. Army Col. Fran Beaudette, commander of JSOTF‐P, and the JSOTF‐P Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sergeant Major Frank Gilliand, laid a wreath at the base of a memorial plaque. A bell rang as each of the names of the fallen was recited. 

Zamboanga City, Philippines -- U.S. Army Col. Fran Beaudette (foreground,) Commander of Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines, and Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Gilliand lay a wreath at the base of a memorial statue during a ceremony commemorating the crash of "Wild 42." Ten members of JSOTF-P died when their U.S. MH-47E Chinook helicopter went down in the Bohol Sea while returning from a mission in Basilan in 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Darrick B. Lee/Released)

Lost were: U.S. Army Maj. Curtis D. Feistner; Army Capt. Bartt D. Owens; Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jody L. Egnor; Army Staff Sgt. James P. Dorrity; Army Staff Sgt. Kerry W. Frith; Army Staff Sgt. Bruce A. Rushforth Jr.; Army Sgt. Jeremy D. Foshee; Spec. Thomas F. Allison; Air Force Master Sgt. William L. McDaniel II and Air Force Staff Sgt. Juan M. Ridout. 

“Ten years ago, the lives of ten families changed forever,” said Col. Beaudette as he addressed the crowd, which included a joint formation of U.S. and Philippine forces. “Take time to think about these ten names and those hundreds of thousands of Americans and Filipinos before them who led them home and accomplished their missions, as we’ll accomplish ours.” 

U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines was established to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines in their fight against trans‐national terrorism. Since its inception, 17 U.S. service members have died while advising and assisting Philippine forces with efforts to secure peace and stability in the Mindanao Region. 

Zamboanga City, Philippines -- A wall inside the headquarters of Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines displays biographies of 17 U.S. service members who have died in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Included in this group are ten members of JSOTF-P who died when their U.S. MH-47E Chinook helicopter went down in the Bohol Sea while returning from a mission in Basilan in 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Darrick B. Lee/Released)