 Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the commander, 93rd error-fueling squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Justin Tubiolo, I would like to welcome you to the 10-year memorial ceremony honoring the crew of Shell 77. I am Tech Sergeant Page Keepers from the technical sergeant Herman Mackie Airman Leadership School, and I will be your emcee for today's event. At this time, please stand for the presentation of the colors and the national anthem, followed by the invocation. Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming And the rocket's red glare at our flag was still Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave God of Heaven and Earth, an eternal life who is the first and the last Beside you there is no other We are grateful and thankful for the lives of the 93rd ARS members who give their time and talents to our nation. Captain Mark Tyler, boss, Captain Victoria Pinckney, and Tech Sergeant Herman Mackie III, whose life was precious and meaningful and taken from us in a brief moment. Wishing we could have encountered them much longer on Earth. Oh Lord, only you know our beginning and our end to help us to love and appreciate one another. Thank you for the wonderful memories and examples of servitude they impressed within our hearts and minds. Mighty God, when emotions are triggered by holidays and especially moments, as we fight through heaviness, heartache, and eyes filled with tears, continue to give us strength and peace to fulfill our purpose as these service members did with carriage. Elohim, we ask a special blessing of continual comfort and peace for their loved ones they left here on Earth. Mr. and Mrs. Voss and the host of family members, Mr. and Mrs. Castro, Terry Castro, and extended family members and those family members of Tech Sergeant Mackie III. Oh Lord, let us be reminded of your promise that you will never leave us, nor forsake us in times of trouble. We can always depend on you. It's in your holy name I pray. Amen. Thank you Honor Guard, Tech Sergeant Slagle, and Chaplain Bidam. Please be seated. We would like to extend a warm welcome to our distinguished guest in attendance today, and we ask that you please hold your applause. We warmly welcome our guest speaker, the 18th Air Force Commander, Major General Corey Martin, and his wife, Holly. The Commander, 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Colonel Jesley Digas, and his girlfriend, Jenna. The Commander, 141st Air Refueling Wing, Colonel James McGovern. The Vice Commander, 141st Air Refueling Wing, Colonel Angela O'Connell. The Vice Commander, 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Colonel Jeffrey Marshall, and his wife, Brenna. The Command Chief, 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Chief Master Sergeant William McCurry, and his wife, Nikki. The Command Chief, 141st Air Refueling Wing, Chief Master Sergeant Edward Pohl. The former 92nd Air Refueling Wing Commander, Colonel Brian Newberry, United States Air Force, retired. We also give a special welcome to the family of Captain Pickney. Her parents, Larry and Michelle Castro. Her sister-in-law, Christine, and her husband, Matt, and their daughter, Diana. Her grandmother, Terry Castro. And her aunt, Alicia Lee. The family of Captain Boss. His parents, Wayne and Marcy Boss. We also wish to honor those who could not attend today's ceremony. Technical Sergeant Mackey's wife, Megan Mackey. His mother, Deborah Mackey, and his sister, Aisha Mackey. Captain Pickney's sister, Nicole Castro. Captain Boss's sister, Morgan Taylor and her husband, Brent, as well as his brother, Forrest Boss and his wife, Savannah. Finally, a warm welcome to all group, deputy group, and squadron commanders. Honorary commanders, chiefs, first sergeants, all other Gold Star family members, and members of Team Fairchild for taking the time to be here today. Thank you all for coming to commemorate this occasion with us. Ten years ago on the 3rd of May at 1155, Crew 11 with Captain Mark Tyler Boss as the aircraft commander, Captain Victoria Pickney as the co-pilot, and Technical Sergeant Herman Trey Mackey as the boom operator, reported to the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Minas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan to complete their assigned mission. The crew flew under the call sign Shell 77. As the crew took off, Shell 77 experienced a flight control malfunction, causing the jet to roll and yaw from side to side. As the oscillations became more pronounced, the crew of Shell 77 fought hard to control the aircraft and diagnosed the cause of the malfunction. The tail section separated, causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable, and the jet was lost over the mountains south of Minas Air Base. Our friends and co-workers perished doing what they loved, flying and supporting the mission of the United States Air Force. We are here today to honor their memory. For the family members of Tyler, Tori, and Trey, Fairchild stands in solidarity with you. The loss and pain you continue to feel, as well as the pride knowing they gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The spirit and mission of the crew of Shell 77 continues to live on in all of us. They may be gone, but they will never be forgotten. Although we miss Tyler, Tori, and Trey deeply, their memory will remain alive forever at Fairchild Air Force Base. Every time we visit or pass by this memorial, we are reminded of their personal sacrifice and dedication to duty. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time is our pleasure to introduce Colonel Brian Newberry, retired, who would like to say a few words. Good afternoon, Team Fairchild. General Martin, Holly, Colonel Dykes, Colonel McGovern, Guard Team, the 93rd ARS, and to all the 92nd partners who were impacted by the loss of our heroes. And of course, our great acknowledgment to our Shell 77 families. There's not been a May 3rd since 2013, where I have not come to this sacred ground, and this poetic monument made possible by the generous people of the Spokane who donated $13,000 in two weeks to make it so. It is so right for Captain Voss, Captain Picney, and Tech Sergeant Mackie to be remembered over the last decade. And I do believe if you say their name, they live on. Thank you for the opportunity to give a few reflections. My time here will be brief. But as our military services face huge recruiting challenges, the Shell 77 story of heroism reminds me that the military ethos of never leaving a wingman behind is one reason that the military is the greatest calling one can have. He ain't heavy. He's my brother. She ain't heavy. She's my sister. Let me speak of so many loyal wingmen that tragic day. That day of the accident, Captain Oswald, my exec, deployed at the time to Manass, and a friend of each of them called back and was not at liberty for concept reasons to say anything, but his silence, he told me everything, and everything I needed to know to wake my wing up to prepare us for the challenging day ahead for us to come and the many months to come. Captain Ded Gaddis, a new aircraft commander and very, very close to Tori, had a Manass supply mission over the North Pole just five days after the accident. One of our 135s had fallen out of the sky, and we didn't know why. She had lost a friend, and her duty was to resupply General Martin and his team at Manass. I met her on the aircraft. She teared up. I teared up, and she looked me in the eye, and she said, Colonel Lou Berry, I got this. This one's for Tori. She was bound to not let Manass go drawing on plane parts which would deprive troops on the ground in Afghanistan from 24-7 tanker support. Speaking of maintainers, we must uplift Master Sergeant Perot who flew experimental planes with the best pilot the world has ever seen, Tyler Voss. These two were building an airplane together, and the parts Tyler ordered were showing up after his tragic loss. What did Master Sergeant Perot do? He nobly finished the experimental plane and flew it down to the Voss family to tell him that Tyler Voss' love of flying is still lived on. To the red-white and blue community with a lilac heart 10 years ago this month, Spokane, you lined our streets from Bay Sops to the Opera House downtown, waving old glory so the families back from Memorial could see their love of fallen heroes. Spokane, you didn't leave your wingman behind. You never will. And who, finally, whose love is greatest is this family right here and right on Zoom today. Of course, it's our Shell 7-7 families who stood strong for us in the darkest times. I certainly was a wounded wing commander as we nervously awaited the safety board results. And I appreciated Lieutenant Colonel Hallett, who's still part of this wing, being a representative on the board to give me confidence in that venerable tanker. At the Memorial, Marcy Voss, Tyler's mom, who's here with us today, having just lost her son, came up to me and said, Tyler was with God. He's going to be okay. And then she looked at me with the strength of the biblical roof, and she implored me that I needed to heal for the wing. And I was kind of you Marcy, to care about my wing and me for all that you did. It was a powerful moment that served me well for the next 14 months. That's your Air Force family. That, and the ashes of Shell 7-7, arose like a noble phoenix. That is why Colonel Dicus, Colonel McGovern, Team Fairchild, you will never fail. And we will never forget. I so remember Tyler's infectious smile and the selfie he took flying that experimental plane. Tori's smile of joy and her flat Stanley, Stanley. She made for a young son, Gabriel, while she deployed with arms outstretched to give him a hug. And Tray's confidence at the end of his certification right before he deployed. Colonel Newberry, Tray said, I'm so happy to be flying again from America having just come off a sensor operator non-flying assignment. His smile, it said it all. Oh, one more team who never left us behind. Course it's our heroes, Tyler, Tori and Tray. I listened to the audio tapes twice of their final flight. And I must say, they did everything right, everything. Their final flight was 11 minutes long, 11 minutes. And you know what they did for 10 minutes and 50 seconds as their plane was rolling side to side exponentially so they were trying to get downrange to refuel an AWACS. They didn't want to let a wingman down. This is what is built into the tanker ethos. You are always there for your receiver. We will never, ever forget that ethos in our Shell77 angels. They soar above us here today with a determination as strong as a granite memorial here. May God bless our patriotic families in a country they deeply believed in. A country who remains a city on the hill whose light of liberty will not be hid. Fly on Shell77, fly on. Your boom is in the green. We got your six. We few. We happy few. We band of brothers and sisters. Amen. Thank you, Colonel Newberry. It is not my pleasure to introduce our guest speaker for today, the 18th Air Force Commander and former Wing Commander of Menoss Air Base, Major General Corey Martin. Well, Brian, thank you for that. Brian and I have known each other for a long time and still remains one of the most compassionate leaders that I know and was perfect to be leading the 92nd in 2013. I'm going to add my appreciation to everyone that made this event possible today and the things that led up to it. It's fitting to remember our servicemen and women who have died. I think it's especially fitting to remember those who died in action. And for me today, it's extra meaningful because I knew Tyler Boss and Victoria Pinkney and Trey Mackey because I flew with them. It's humbling also. Having experienced Shell77 on the Menoss side, kind of on the mission side, and then it's humbling to be here, the home station side where the relationships, the connections were deeper, the pain, you know, more acute and that cruelty of the distance had to be incredible. But I also say it's helpful for me to be here today and hopefully for others as well. Two times before I've been on this hallowed ground, but alone, leaving a solitary offering on the three benches. So helpful now to be here in community and especially with family. Family that produced two men and a woman of great character, courage and selflessness. And I saw those qualities firsthand. Tyler is who I met first in his 2012 deployment to Menoss when I showed up as commander. I tried to fly frequently with a cruise. And it seemed like for about five straight flights, I was always with Tyler's crew, which meant I always displaced him out of a seat. He never complained. But we had a chance to talk. And sometimes it was about mission, but oftentimes other things. Athletics, like he could do a handstand push-up. And I told him I'd committed to being able to do one before the deployment was over. We both really appreciated the beautiful mountains that we flew over in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan. And we both said we would be back sometime after the war to see them again. And then one time he asked for a book recommendation. And I talked about the book Unbroken, which I just read, the story of Louis Zamprini's survival in World War II. And he took that on as a reading assignment. His deployment ended, and I didn't think I would see him again. But then in 2013, he returned as an aircraft commander himself this time. And he had two things waiting for me. One was a hard copy of Unbroken that Marcy had given him to deliver to me. She had met a World War II pilot who had flown some of the search and rescue missions for Louis Zamprini and had signed the book. And his other offering was a request, an invitation to come fly with his new crew, Crew 11, which I automatically accepted. So on April 29th, 2013, I got a chance to meet Tori and Trey. Since I had already known Tyler a little bit, I spent a lot of time talking with him. Tori was just recently returned from maternity. And I remember at the time, not in reflection afterwards, but at the time being incredibly impressed with her level of confidence in the airplane or professionalism and being a brand new mom on a deployment. Very impressed with that. And then we shared a commonality, even though years and years apart at the academy, we both played on the rugby team there. It was a joy to be with her. And I was not in the seat that day, so I spent a lot of time in the back with Trey. And as mentioned, they just come back from being the system's operator and his level of knowledge of the battle space and the help he was and the heroics that he had already had. I left that flight buoyed knowing that we had extremely talented youth. And so it was four days later, on May 3rd, when I heard we lost a crew. And I was walking to the situation room that I was hoping. I didn't want to lose any crew, but I was hoping it was not crew 11. And for a brief moment, I thought it was, and I saw first names, Mark, Herman, Victoria. And then soon I realized that Herman Mackey III was Trey, Victoria was Tori, and Mark T. Boss was Tyler. And so we lost three great Americans that day. So here's my simple message. Being a student at the primary and secondary level, a student of history, I know that it's very easy to enumerate the lives lost in war. But often what isn't enumerated and harder to do are the lives that are spared because of that last full measure that people like Tyler and Tori and Trey gave. And some of them are going to remain nameless and faceless. The soldiers, the sailors, the airmen, the Marines that were on the ground and in a moment of dire need called for an F-16 or an A-10 to come in and help them. And in minutes that aircraft was overhead in a show of force or laying down ordinance to allow our servicemen and women to live another day to survive the war, never knowing that the only reason that plane was four or five minutes away instead of 40 or 50 was because a little higher up, there were shell call sign tankers making that all possible. And they'll remain nameless and faceless beneficiaries of shell 777. But there are some that have names and faces. And if anyone was at Airlift Tanker Association last fall in Denver or you heard Joe Minahan's speech, you met Marwa, a 20-something Afghan air traffic controller. She escaped Afghanistan in August of 21 on the C-17. In her early 20s, that meant that almost her entire life, she had lived under a different regime in Afghanistan than almost any girl had lived before that allowed her to go to school, that allowed her to become a profession, one of the best controllers that the nation had, all because of the umbrella of protection that was provided by the U.S. and its friends and certainly from the shell call sign KC-135. So I know the depth of professionalism and courage and character that was on display with shell 777. And it's why I still, to this day, where Tyler Voss's name on my wrist, Holly has Victoria's name on hers and underneath a couple layers of blue I have a shirt emblazoned with Trey Mackey's name on it. It is fitting to remember to speak their names, as Brian said, and that we don't forget their sacrifice. And so now, if you allow me, I once again will leave an offering on the benches. Thank you, General Martin. At this time, we ask the Honor Guard to come forward and present a wreath in honor of those who memorialize today. Please join us in a moment of silence to remember the crew of shell 777. Captain Mark Tyler Voss, aircraft commander, Captain Victoria Pickney, co-pilot, and technical sergeant Herman Trey Mackey, the third boom operator. While the loss of shell 777 remains a painful memory, the 92nd era feeling wing is stronger. Our resolve has been fortified, and we will never forget the sacrifice that Tyler, Tori, and Trey made for our nation. On behalf of the 92nd era feeling wing and the 93rd era feeling squadron, thank you for attending today's event.