Gate dedicated to Lakenheath hero

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. J. LaVoie
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  A quiet reverence overtook Gate 2, June 1 as the 48th Security Forces Squadron dedicated the new gate to Senior Airman Jason D. Nathan.

Senior Airman Nathan deployed to Iraq from RAF Lakenheath and was mortally wounded by an improvised explosive device June 23, 2007 while on combat patrol in Tikrit, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In addition to the distinguished visitors, several Airmen who served in Iraq with Airman Nathan were in attendance. One of those was Capt. Gregory Bodenstein, 48th Security Forces Squadron, who was deployed as the Tikrit district police transition team leader.

"Airman Nathan represents the absolute best of what the Air Force brings to the fight every day," said Captain Bodenstein. "The wing dedicating the gate to him shows the Air Force truly appreciates the contributions those of us with boots on the ground make to the war on terror every day."

For others who knew Airman Nathan, the dedication is a lasting legacy.

"I feel it is something that will always be here, and a reminder of Nate," said Senior Airman Derek McCaghren, 48th SFS and Airman Nathan's deployed truck commander. "The gate is the first posting for most security forces Airmen - they will know how he sacrificed."

To help maintain the legacy, all Airmen posted to the Senior Airman Jason D. Nathan Gate will have to memorize a special post briefing. This briefing was given for the first time during the dedication ceremony. It begins:

"This is the Senior Airman Jason D. Nathan Gate. It is named after Senior Airman Nathan, a native of Macon, Georgia, who served proudly as a security forces defender. On 23 June 2007, Senior Airman Nathan gave his life defending freedom while deployed to Camp Speicher, Iraq where he was responsible for training Iraqi Police in the city of Tikrit. He was the turret gunner on return from a training mission when his combat patrol was struck by an IED and he suffered a fatal wound. Senior Airman Jason D. Nathan gave the ultimate sacrifice and will never be forgotten."

Also in attendance at the ceremony was Airman Nathan's family, his grandfather, the Rev. Lorenzo Holt, his sister, Janelle and his mother, Phyllis Nathan. In addition to attending the ceremony, his family was able to spend time with the unit.

"His mom told me she doesn't blame me," said Captain Bodenstein. "When he died, I felt a lot of guilt. I was hard on myself and second guessed myself. His mother told me her son wanted to serve and wanted to be in security forces. She said that she was proud of him and that she has no regrets and he had no regrets."

The opportunity to meet Airman Nathan's family, though nerve racking, seemed to be good for the entire team.

"I was anxious," said Airman McCaghren. "I didn't know what to expect and I wanted everything to be OK with her and the team, and it was. It was awesome. There was a great weight on my shoulders about how his family felt. As soon as I hugged her, the weight lifted."

During the time spent together, his team members reminisced fondly of Airman Nathan. They talked of the practical jokes he would play, and how spiritual he was. They also had an opportunity to tell Ms. Nathan about his accomplishments as an Airman.

"He (Airman Nathan) was dependable," said Captain Bodenstein. "In combat you need to be able to depend on your Airman. It's life or death. There was never any question with him; you could depend on him."

In addition to being dependable, he was an exemplary Airman.

Airman Nathan passed his first security forces certification with a 90 percent. Exemplifying what type of Airman he was, he then volunteered his time to help other security forces specialists with their tests, leading to a 100 percent pass rate. These types of actions led to Airman Nathan being promoted below the zone to senior airman June 22, 2007, the day before he gave his life for his country.