48th FW commander speaks to media on Frankfurt shooting

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Col. John T. Quintas, 48th Fighter Wing commander, addressed media about the March 2 shooting incident at Frankfurt International Airport, Germany, which involved 15 Airmen from RAF Lakenheath, England, during a press conference March 4.

"On the second of March, the 48th Fighter Wing family suffered a tragic loss," Colonel Quintas said. "We lost Senior Airman Nick Alden."

The 48th Fighter Wing commander went on to say that of the two injured Airmen, one is listed as being in critical condition, and the other is listed as being in serious condition.

"We are feeling very positive about the fact that their conditions have been upgraded," Colonel Quintas said, before addressing the care of the other 12 Airmen who were involved in the shooting.

"They (the other 12 Airmen) are right now being cared for at the Deployment Transition Center at Ramstein Air Base, (Germany)" he said, noting that the center specializes in helping Airmen who are returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

"At this time this wing's number one priority is caring for the families and the friends of those who were wounded," he said. "All of our efforts are focused on making sure that the people have the care that they need to healthfully get through the grieving process."

Colonel Quintas then thanked the local community, host nation partners and people around the world for their outpouring of sympathy and condolences, before answering some of the media's questions.

After the question and answer session, a flag detail, consisting of three 48th Security Forces Squadron Airmen, performed a flag ceremony in honor of Airman Alden.