Fallen Air Commandos remembered at 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Just ahead of the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we proudly unveiled a new installation dedicated to War on Terror military memorials. First to be featured in this new space is the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Memorial, on loan from AFSOC headquarters in Hurlburt Field, FL and honoring AFSOC personnel who have died in combat since 9/11. AFSOC members and family members of those killed joined our staff at the Museum for the September 18 dedication, which included an enlistment ceremony.  Below, we share an article Staff Sgt. Natalie Fiorilli penned originally for AFSOC about the event and the stories behind the installation. 

She didn’t need to hear the words. When the cars pulled up to her father’s house, Michelle Biegalski already knew why they were there.

“In that moment, you just know something is wrong,” she said.

Four days after her fiancé left for deployment, she learned that he and his crew had been killed.

1st Lt. Justin Wilkens, a combat systems officer with the 34th Special Operations Squadron, died on board a U-28A Draco, call sign Ratchet 33, when it crashed near Djibouti, Africa, Feb. 18, 2012.

“I don’t even think anyone could get the words out,” she said. “I just remember wondering who else was on the plane and if their families had been notified. You start thinking about everyone else first, and then it hits you after everyone leaves.”

For Rose Duval, the same news came less than a week into her son’s deployment.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Scott Duffman, a pararescueman assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, was killed in Afghanistan, Feb. 17, 2007, when the MH-47 helicopter he was on lost power and crashed.

Survivors later told her that Duffman shielded others from the impact.

“He told everyone to get down, and he laid on top of them to take the brunt of the crash,” Duval said.

Last week, the two women visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. They joined Air Force Special Operations Command leadership at a dedication ceremony for an installation honoring their loved ones and 39 other Air Commandos killed in combat during the war on terrorism.

Displayed in a glass case, the wooden, octagon-shaped memorial displays engraved nameplates with the rank, name, unit, date and location of death for each fallen Airman.

AFSOC Commander Lt. Gen. Mike Conley said each name carries personal significance.

“Some of them are comrades in arms that I know the names and stories of,” Conley said. “There’s a few I’m honored to call my friends—people I’ve served with, people I know their families, and people I knew operationally throughout our assignments…It’s a full-circle moment to see [the memorial] in the place where it all started.”

After the ceremony, Biegalski and Duval joined their families in viewing the memorial.

Leaning closer to the case, they found the names of 1st Lt. Justin Wilkens and Tech. Sgt. Scott Duffman.

For Biegalski, seeing her late fiancé’s name reassured her that he is still remembered.

“I’m so happy he is still talked about,” she said. “It’s been so long that you don’t often hear their names anymore. I don’t even have words for how special it was to be here, of all places. He would have loved every second of it.”

Rose Duval and her daughter, Wendy Duffman-Abbott, also noted the significance of seeing a son and brother’s name honored.

“To see his name here in this extremely emotional and important place speaks volumes,” Duval said. “The Airmen on the memorial were at the front to protect our nation because of what happened here. The parallel is unmistakable, and it’s something you have to be here to feel.”

Seeing the names also prompted the families to recall personal memories.

“He loved flying and was the kind of person that would look up in the sky any time a plane flew over,” Biegalski said of Wilkens.

Duval said Duffman had always wanted to be a part of Air Force Special Tactics.

“I remember he had once said that he knew he wanted to save lives and being Special Tactics was the most fun way he could do it,” she said. “He always put others first.”

Loaned by AFSOC, the memorial is expected to be on display at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum for the foreseeable future. The exhibit is located in the museum’s East Triangle, on the east side of the North Tower footprint.

By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Natalie Fiorilli, Air Force Special Operations Command