Hurlburt remembers JOCKEY-14

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melanie Holochwost
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
Dozens of Air Commandos, families and friends gathered to pay tribute to the fallen crew members of JOCKEY-14 during a ceremony at the air park here March 14.

On March 14, 1994, an AC-130H assigned to the 16th Special Operations Squadron, took-off from Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kenya.

The Spectre crew was conducting a routine Joint Task Force mission in support of Operation Continue Hope II.

During the flight, an explosion occurred in the 105-millimeter gun bore, which caused the aircraft to crash land in the Indian Ocean, roughly 200 yards off the coast of Somalia.

Eight of the 14 crew members aboard died in the crash.

The following Jockey-14 crew members paid the ultimate sacrifice that day:

Capt. David Melhop, navigator
Capt. Mark Quam, electronic warfare officer
Capt. Anthony Stefanik Jr., fire control officer
Master Sgt. Roy Duncan, loadmaster
Tech. Sgt. Robert Daniel, sensor operator
Staff Sgt. Brian Barnes, aerial gunner
Staff Sgt. William Eyler, sensor operator
Staff Sgt. Mike Moser, aerial gunner

The 16th SOS, currently stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., performed an AC-130H flyover during the ceremony. In addition, the Hurlburt Field Honor Guard placed a wreath in the memorial section of the air park to honor the fallen crew members.