Release No. 02076 SOUTHWEST ASIA – April 29 -

One specialized in search and rescue for the New York City Fire Department, the other specializes in search and rescue for downed pilots. Michael F. Lynch was a lieutenant with the New York Fire Department, assigned to Battalion 9, Ladder Company 4 on Truck 4. He was among the many heroes Sept. 11 who responded to the tragedy at the World Trade Center Towers. Witnesses say he helped many injured people that day, personally carrying several women out of one of the towers. He was running back into the building to pull more people out when it collapsed. His body was only recently recovered, found at the bottom of one of the ruined elevator shafts. Tech. Sgt. Joe is an HC-130N Hercules flight engineer from the 39th Rescue Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Members of the Air Force Reserve Command unit have been called up as part of the war on terrorism. Joe’s aircraft is part of the 332nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, which assists in combat-search-and-rescue missions. His aunt happens to be a good friend of Lynch’s sister, Maureen, who was devastated by the loss of her brother. Maureen wanted Joe to know that she and Michael’s family appreciated what he – and the rest of the military – are doing in support of the war against terrorism. “She passed along the family’s message of how proud they are of us, and that they will not forget us,” said Maj. Kevin, a Reserve pilot aboard the HC-130N. “She also hoped that Michael and the rest of his ‘brothers’ would also not be forgotten.” Joe wanted to ensure the firemen who perished in New York that day would not be forgotten, especially Lynch. “Joe came up with the idea of flying an American flag over the combat zone, and then presenting it to Michael’s family as a tribute to him and to let them know that his sacrifice would not be forgotten,” Kevin said. “The flag was flown with our crew on missions throughout the Persian Gulf states and over the skies of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan,” Kevin added. “Joe will present the flag to Michael’s family when we return to the United States after our deployment.” Most people would say that’s enough to honor the memory of one of our nation’s heroes, but not Joe or his crewmates. “Last month, while my crew was forward-deployed to Ganci Air Base, Kyrgyzstan (named in honor of FDNY Chief Peter J. Ganci Jr., also killed Sept. 11), Joe told the base fire department about Michael and his attempt to honor him,” Kevin said. “They jumped at the chance to assist Joe in his quest and flew the flag over their department. They then gathered their department and trucks to take a great photograph, which will also be sent to Michael’s family.” It doesn’t end there though, according to Kevin. Just prior to redeploying to their home base, Joe approached him with the idea of putting nose art on their aircraft to honor Lynch. “He told me that his name on the side of our Herc would let Michael’s family know how serious we were about not forgetting his sacrifice,” Kevin said. “I told him that I thought it was a great idea.” Joe asked Tech. Sgt. Jeff, an artist in the unit’s maintenance team, to do the job. Armed with only a ladder and a roll of duct tape, Jeff came up with the design. In a couple of hours, the nose art – “9-11 F.D.N.Y. Michael F. Lynch Truck #4” – was completed. “The next day we flew the newly dedicated aircraft back to our deployed base,” Kevin said. “It was a good feeling for my crew, knowing that we were flying Michael Lynch’s name, as well as his flag, through the skies of Afghanistan. We were honored and proud to do such a small thing for a true hero and to let his family know we would not forget Michael.” The flag has since flown on a combat patrol over the skies of Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. Lynch paid the ultimate price for his job. His family can be assured the crew aboard the aircraft bearing his name will continue their combat-search-and-rescue missions with a new found sense of honor – carrying a true hero’s name with them wherever they fly. (AFRC News Service)

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