Travis AFB honors fallen Airman with digified ceremony

Published April 13, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Members of the Travis Honor Guard conducted a dignified remains arrival April 11 on the Travis flightline to honor the return of a fallen fellow Airman -- Capt. Francis Imlay.

Imlay was assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron "Bold Tigers" at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. While deployed to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, he was killed in an accident involving an F-15E Strike Eagle.

Col. Richard Williamson, 60th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, was the officiating officer accompanied by Chaplain (Maj.) Kent Schmidt to give dignity, honor and respect to the fallen.

He is survived by his wife and two young children, who were all in attendance.

Imlay's parents were also present for the return of their son. Imlay's father is a retired chief master sergeant and former 60th Maintenance Group chief at Travis.

Imlay was an F-15E flight lead with more than 2,500 hours of total flight time in the T-37, T-38, T-6 and F-15E. His Air Force decorations included the Air Force Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

"Captain Imlay is a tremendous fighter pilot, assigned to out 391st Fighter Squadron 'Bold Tigers,' who played a vital role in supporting Operation Enduring Freedom," said Col. Ron Buckley, 366th Fighter Wing commander. "As a member of one of the world's most advanced and highly skilled fighter squadrons, Piston (Imlay) had an enormous impact on our Gunfighter mission."

As the casket was offloaded from the charter aircraft to the hearse on the flightline, service members, civilians and the Patriot Guard Riders rendered their respects. Airmen stopped by the side of the rode and saluted a wingman who gave the ultimate sacrifice as the hearse drove through the streets of Travis to return Imlay to his hometown in Vacaville.

Imlay's family said they very much appreciated the outpouring of support they have received from their friends and community and said that although he was a serviceman, he will be remembered most as a loving husband and father of two children.

The Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association along with the Air Warrior Courage Foundation set up a college fund for Imlay's children. For more information or to contribute, visit www.airwarriorcourage.org.