Air base in Kyrgyzstan named after hero Released: Feb. 13, 2002

A sign hanging above the gate entrance to the air base in Kyrgyzstan signifies that the coalition base in Kyrgyzstan is now Peter J. Ganci Jr. Air Base. Coalition forces are deployed here setting up an airbase in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kristi Beckman) Click here for high-resolution image! By Capt. Kristi Beckman 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs GANCI AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (USAFENS) -- He was a legend, a hero, and a role model, someone everyone looked up to. He gave his life Sept. 11 protecting his men during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers. He was Chief Peter J. Ganci Jr., Chief of the New York City Fire Department, and his name will forever be etched in time as the United States Air Force chose to name the air base here after him. When asked why the base was named after Ganci, Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, said it was just the right thing to do. “A great young American by the name of Capt. Erik Rundquist read an article about Chief Ganci and suggested we name the base after him. We started to do the research of trying to find the family, and without even mentioning the Chief’s name, we miraculously found his brother. So, it wasn’t us who decided we should name it Ganci Air Base, it was God.” The chief’s brother, Army reserve Col. Daniel Ganci, said Peter deserves an honor like this and he’s very proud of the Air Force for thinking of him. “I know he wouldn't believe it. He was just a regular guy and never thought of himself as someone important even though he was very important,” said Ganci. Col. Ganci said the Air Force picked the right man to name the base after. “Pete loved the fire department more than life itself,” said Ganci. “He saved lives and fought fires and he did it better than anyone, and he had the decorations to prove it. Fighting fire was as important to him as flying is to the Air Force.” And Pete believed that if your going to do it, you do it with the best, you train with the best and you strive to be the best, Ganci said. “When it comes right down to it, Peter J. Ganci is a legend to firemen and women around the country not because he's the Chief of the FDNY or because he gave his life on 9-11,” said Nick Kelly, Wash. D.C. firefighter and son of Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly. “Chief Ganci is a legend because he was really, really good at what he did, being a fireman. He was not a chief, boss, or administrator first. Chief Ganci was a smoke eating guy, just like the rest of us. Like Omar Bradley was a soldier’s soldier, Chief Ganci was a firemen’s' fireman,” said Kelly. Firefighters are a family, said Kelly, “We eat, sleep, go on calls, and risk our lives, together. I don't necessarily agree that Chief Ganci gave his life FOR his men, as much as he gave it WITH his men. He was not going to leave his brothers and sisters alone in there. He thought of himself as a fireman first. We, as firefighters, don't leave anyone behind.” Over 33 years Pete found himself at the top of his profession just because he wanted to be the best fireman he could be, said Col. Ganci. “The part I was always proudest of, whenever anyone asked what he did he would tell you he was a New York City fireman,” he said. Some people think he has his head screwed on backwards because he runs into burning buildings for a living, said Kelly. But he says it’s his job and it was the job of those 343 firefighters who lost their lives on 9-11. “I have been asked many times since then, ‘Would you have gone into the towers?’ I never hesitate, my answer, ‘Hell yes.’” That can-do attitude is what makes Chief Ganci a legend and hero, said Kelly. “He never hesitated. I'm sure he was scared out of his mind. We all were that day,” said Kelly. But, Chief Ganci and his men strapped on their gear, like a thousand times before, and went to do their job. Much like you and the rest of the people in the armed services do every day. You show up, and do the best you can.” -- USAFENS --

 

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