An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News from around the Fleet

NASC Memorial Service, Award Ceremonies Honor Victims of NAS Pensacola Terrorist Attack

04 December 2020

From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) held a memorial service and wreath laying and Purple Heart Medal ceremonies at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Dec. 4.
191207-N-NO101-002.jpg
SLIDESHOW | images | 191207-N-NO101-002 191207-N-NO101-002 WASHINGTON (Dec. 7, 2019) File photo of Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, from Coffee, Alabama. Ens. Watson was killed during an active shooter incident at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Dec. 6. (U.S. Navy Photo)
191207-N-NO101-001.jpg
SLIDESHOW | images | 191207-N-NO101-001 191207-N-NO101-001 WASHINGTON (Dec. 7, 2019) File photo of Airman Mohammad Sameh Haitham, 19, from St. Petersburg, Florida. Airman Haitham was killed during an active shooter incident at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Dec. 6. (U.S. Navy Photo)
191209-N-N0101-003.JPG
SLIDESHOW | images | 191209-N-NO101-003 191209-N-N0101-003 WASHINGTON (Dec. 9, 2019) File photo of Airman Aprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21, from Richmond Hill, Georgia. Walters was killed during an active shooter incident at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Dec. 6, 2019. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) held a memorial service and wreath laying and Purple Heart Medal ceremonies at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Dec. 4.
 
The memorial service and wreath laying marked the one-year anniversary of the Dec. 6 NAS Pensacola terrorist attack that left three U.S. Navy Sailors killed and eight other personnel injured.
 
“It was almost one year ago today during a despicable and cowardly act of terrorism that Ensign Joshua Watson, Petty Officer 3rd Class Mohammed Haitham and Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Walters paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation,” said Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), who was the ceremony’s guest speaker. “As we lay this wreath for our three fallen shipmates, we honor their bravery and their sacrifice.”
 
The ceremony also recognized those who were wounded during the attack – Ensign Kristy Lehmer, Ensign Brianna Thomas, Airman Ryan Blackwell, Airman George Johnson, Jessica Pickett, Capt. Charles Hogue, Deputy Matthew Tinch and Deputy Jonathan Glass.
 
“Today, we continue to mourn those who lost their lives,” said Garvin. “We also pay tribute to the eight Sailors, Marines, government civilians, Naval Air Station Pensacola security forces and Escambia County Sherriff’s Office deputies who were injured. They all exemplify honor, courage and commitment.”
 
Garvin commented on the strong relationship between the Pensacola community and the military at NAS Pensacola.
 
“Here in Pensacola, in the ‘Cradle of Naval Aviation,’ we are a family with an unshakeable foundation, a family that stands the test of time and is unwavering in our defense of the constitution and the country whose course it directs,” said Garvin.
 
During three separate ceremonies at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Garvin and Capt. Edgardo Moreno, NASC’s commanding officer, presented the Purple Heart Medals posthumously to the families of Watson, Haitham and Walters.
 
“In these times the war zone is no longer limited to battlefields, it all too often finds its way to bastions where it is least expected,” said Cmdr. Michael Lofgren, NASC’s executive officer, who provided remarks at the ceremonies. “These heroes, selflessly and tirelessly preparing for a battlefield, suddenly and unexpectedly found themselves in a war zone.”
 
The Purple Heart Medal is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.
 
For more information on NASC, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/NASC.
 
For more news from NETC, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil.
 

Google Translation Disclaimer

  • Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
  • The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
  • This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
  • Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
  • All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
  • IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
  • The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.

Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea   |   PSC 478 Box 1   |   FPO AP, 96212-0001
Official U.S. Navy Website