Fallen EOD Airman remembered

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Kim Schaerdel
  • 31st Fighter Wing public affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  A final shot was detonated Feb.1 at the end of a memorial service here to honor a fallen Airman. Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett died Jan. 19 near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight.

"It is difficult to understand why Adam is gone," said Brig. Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., 31st Fighter Wing commander. "There is one thing I do understand, after looking at his career and serving with him here and at Kunsan, I know he was an outstanding Airmen, outstanding son and friend of his community."

Echoing those sentiments, Lt. Col. Bo Bloomer, 31st CES commander, reflected on Sergeant Ginett's 10-year Air Force career full of numerous accomplishments and impact felt across the Air Force. 

"A few key themes ring true [about Sergeant Ginett]: making safe, keeping safe, helping, mentoring, leading and caring," said Lt. Col. Bloomer. "In speaking with his downrange commander, it was specifically commented how the EOD Airmen looked up to and greatly respected Adam, possibly the highest achievement a leader can aspire to." 

Sergeant Ginett will be remembered as an Airman who always put the needs of others first and who positively influenced the lives of countless EOD technicians...always with a smile on his face. 

"Adam's passion for EOD fueled everyone around him, from reinstituting traditions to devising creative training opportunities to uniting the flight through hikes in the mountains and weekend dinners at obscure restaurants," Capt. Emil L. Rebik, 31st CES/EOD flight commander said. "Our loss is incomparable to the family, but he is an irreplaceable friend and technician." 

During the service, Sergeant Ginett was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster with Valor, Bronze Star Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Air Combat Action Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. 

Sergeant Ginett grew-up in Coates, N.C. and entered the Air Force Mar. 17, 1999. While stationed at Aviano, he managed the 31 CES/EOD training section, ensuring 380 core tasks were accomplished for 26 Airmen. His tireless efforts could be seen from the lowest to most senior operator in the flight. His flight was recognized by U.S. Air Forces in Europe as the 2009 Best Explosive Ordinance Flight in the command.