House Resolution Honors 11 Fallen Crew Members of TORQE 62 Aircraft Crash in Afghanistan

This resolution is a formal statement from the House of Representatives marking the 10-year anniversary of the tragic TORQE 62 crash. That crash involved a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft that went down in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on October 2, 2015.

The Purpose: Remembering the Fallen

Essentially, this resolution is Congress taking a moment to formally recognize and honor the 11 people who lost their lives while serving in support of Operation Freedoms Sentinel. The group included six U.S. Air Force service members and five civilian contractors. This is strictly a commemorative measure—it doesn't change any laws, spend any money, or create new regulations. It’s about ensuring these individuals are officially remembered for their sacrifice.

Naming the Heroes

The resolution specifically lists the names of the Air Force personnel who died, which is an important detail for ensuring their individual service is recognized. The fallen Airmen were: Captain Jonathan J. Golden (age 33), Captain Jordan B. Pierson (age 28), Staff Sergeant Ryan D. Hammond (age 26), Senior Airman Quinn L. Johnson-Harris (age 21), Senior Airman Nathan C. Sartain (age 29), and Airman 1st Class Kcey E. Ruiz (age 21). By naming them, the House is making their sacrifice part of the official record.

Recognizing the Dual Sacrifice

One key takeaway is that the resolution makes a point of honoring both the uniformed military personnel and the civilian contractors. This highlights the reality that modern military operations rely heavily on civilian support staff, who face the same daily dangers. The resolution acknowledges that this loss serves as a serious reminder of the risks taken by everyone—military and civilian—who supports these missions abroad.

Official Condolences and Legacy

Beyond honoring the dead, the resolution expresses deep sympathy and condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the entire TORQE 62 crew. It also notes that units like the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing continue to honor their legacy through ceremonies and roll calls. For the families, this is an official expression of gratitude and remembrance from the highest levels of government, confirming that the sacrifice of their loved ones is not forgotten.