News

Top 3 honors McChord 13 who died in 1992 accident

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicole Celestine
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Dirt and grime can be washed away, but no amount of cleaning erases the scars Airmen have from the C-141 cargo aircraft crash on Nov. 30, 1992, that claimed the lives of 13 McChord Airmen. 

"I think everyone has a day in their lives they'll always remember," said Master Sgt. Wayne Ruedinger, guidance and control technician with the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here. "November 30, 1992, will always be that day for me," said the air reserve technician of 17 years.

Members of the 446th AMXS made sure that all Airmen stationed at McChord Field here won't forget this incident, because they organized the McChord 13 memorial site clean-up, July 10.

"Some of us, including myself, were here when the crash occurred," said Sergeant Ruedinger. "A lot of Airmen at McChord Field today really don't know what happened in 1992. It's us 'older' folks who remember and need to keep the memory of these Airmen alive," said the 23-year veteran.

The cleanup drive was initiated by the squadron's Top Three, including Master Sgt. Andrew Saxe with the 446th AMXS. The assistant first sergeant said he felt privileged to be part of the cleanup effort because he was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., when the crash occurred. The sergeant said he not only remembers the emotional twisters Airmen at Malmstrom went through, but he can still 'see' the dump trucks filled with mangled air parts driving off the airfield  - equally catastrophic effects of the disaster. The fatal crash occurred during a routine refueling flight over Montana.

"The whole idea of observing the history of the incident and remembering the memorial is what's important," said Sergeant Saxe.

Tech. Sgt. Brian Miller, a hydraulics specialist with the 446th AMXS said he chose to take part in the cleanup because it was for a good cause. A Reservist since 1997, Sergeant Miller said he helped out, out of respect for the 13 Airmen who died.

"This was a horrible accident," said the U.S. Postal Service employee. "I wasn't here at McChord Field when it happened, but my heart goes out to those families who lost their loved ones. It was a tragedy and something we don't want to ever happen again," said the sergeant. 

As pink roses sway in the cool summer breeze, the American flag remains at half mast, as if watching over the Airmen as they honor the McChord 13 and keep the memory alive.