Special Tactics airman was Staff Sgt. Dylan Elchin, 25, of Hookstown, Pennsylvania, was killed Tuesday by an improvised explosive device in the eastern Afghan province of Ghazni. He was assigned to the 26th Special Tactics Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Elchin had been in the Air Force for six years, enlisting directly into Special Tactics. He had qualified in static line parachuting, military free fall, combat scuba diving, and was a rated Joint Terminal Attack Controller.
“[Dylan] was the guy everyone wanted to be around, in even the worst of times he had a smile on his face and a way to lighten things up,” a Special Tactics Officer and former team leader of Elchin said in a statement. “He was always doing whatever it took to get the job done.” "Dylan had an unusual drive to succeed and contribute to the team. He displayed maturity and stoicism beyond his years and was always level-headed, no matter the situation,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Walsh, commander of the 26th Special Tactics Squadron. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dylan’s family, fiancé, and friends. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.”
He died from injuries sustained when his vehicle was struck by an IED in Andar district, Ghazni Province.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon and NATO Medal.
SSGT Elchin is survived by his mother and fiancé.
Blue skies always
~S~
Elchin had been in the Air Force for six years, enlisting directly into Special Tactics. He had qualified in static line parachuting, military free fall, combat scuba diving, and was a rated Joint Terminal Attack Controller.
“[Dylan] was the guy everyone wanted to be around, in even the worst of times he had a smile on his face and a way to lighten things up,” a Special Tactics Officer and former team leader of Elchin said in a statement. “He was always doing whatever it took to get the job done.” "Dylan had an unusual drive to succeed and contribute to the team. He displayed maturity and stoicism beyond his years and was always level-headed, no matter the situation,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Walsh, commander of the 26th Special Tactics Squadron. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dylan’s family, fiancé, and friends. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.”
He died from injuries sustained when his vehicle was struck by an IED in Andar district, Ghazni Province.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon and NATO Medal.
SSGT Elchin is survived by his mother and fiancé.
Blue skies always
~S~
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