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Scott AFB unit mourns loss of team member, friend

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The 561st Network Operations Squadron, Det. 3, paused to honor the memory of Tech. Sgt. Matthew Keith Cheatham Nov. 22.

Sergeant Cheatham passed away Nov. 12.

Sergeant Cheatham enlisted into the Air Force shortly after graduating high school in 1997. Throughout his career, he served at Whiteman AFB, Mo.; Edwards AFB, Calif.; Onizuka Air Force Station, Calif.; and Osan Air Base, South Korea, before arriving here where he served as a Resource Advisor, Unit Deployment Manager, Security Manager and Training Manager with the 561st NOS, Det. 3.

His commander remembers him as a vital and respected member of the team.

"Our entire squadron sends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Sergeant Cheatham," said Lt. Col. Phillip Parker, 561st NOS, Det. 3 commander. "Matt was an absolutely critical member of our team and accomplished all that was asked of him. He was meticulous and exacting in all of his work and truly respected by his peers, subordinates and supervisors alike. Matt will certainly be missed by all of us."

Sergeant Cheatham's awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster.

Matt, an avid San Francisco Giants fan, was recently able to watch the Giants bring the first ever baseball championship to San Francisco. His squadron was reminded of his excitement every time Brian Wilson took the mound by his continuous statement of "fear the beard!"

He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and two children, Aiden and Emma; his parents Randy Cheatham and Sheri Garner; his step parents Ronald Garner and Sharon Cheatham; his step brothers Chris Skinner and Gus Garner; and his step sister Christi Dines.