 Living
Troopers from 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, known as the "Lightning Horse" Squadron, remembered Chief Warrant Officer Three Stanley B. Hepfner and Chief Warrant Officer Two Jonathan B. Millward, both members of A Troop, with a moment of silence, a missing man formation flyover and the posthumous promotion of Hepfner during the reflection. Both OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilots were killed in an aviation accident at WAAF, May 27th. As Soldiers and families from the 25th CAB looked on, promotion orders were read for the advancement of Hepfner to chief warrant officer three. "It was good they went through with the promotion," said Spc. Matthew Sanders, aircraft armament electronic avionic systems repairer, A Troop, 2-6 Cav. "I remember talking to Mr. Hepfner at [Pohakuloa Training Area] when he found out he'd been picked up [for chief warrant officer three] and how excited he was. For them to go through with the promotion - it really meant a lot to everyone in the troop." Following the promotion, the squadron was led in a moment of silence by Lt. Col. Kenneth Hawley, squadron commander, 2-6th Cav. During the moment of silence, four Kiowa helicopters flew over the cavalry troops in formation. As they passed over head, one of the helicopters veered off to the right, signifying the loss of two of their own. "I appreciate the way the squadron performed [the ceremony], it was very professional," said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Coveney, acting first sergeant, A Troop, 2-6 Cav., following the remembrance. "I think the flyover showed a lot of respect and we all appreciated it. It's hard to put into words." Many of the Soldiers watching, including the members of A Troop, 2-6 Cav., reflected on the loss of their brothers. For A Troop, the healing process continues and they were appreciative of the squadron's efforts. "Doing the flyover really meant a lot to me," said Sanders. "It really shows other units how close knit we are over here. Putting together the ceremony really showed how [tight] of a family we are and how everyone cares about one another - especially our fellow troops." Coveney also agreed adding, "It definitely shows that we take care of our own regardless of the situation. We lost two great brothers .... They're gone but not forgotten. We have to continue moving on but we pay our respects. It also does justice to their families, to the troop and [squadron] to be able to promote Mr. Hepfner. It just shows we will continue to take care of our own." According to Sanders and Coveney, immediately following the accident on May 27, the other troops of the "Lightning Horse" Squadron demonstrated their support for A Troop. "The day after the accident we had to push aircraft [into the wind tunnel]," said Sanders. "When we came in, the other troops had already pushed the aircraft into the wind tunnel and they took care of all our maintenance for us. They helped us out a lot. None of us were really able to focus on what our tasks were and they picked up our slack." Coveney summed up things for the squadron. "The loss of our two pilots is a great loss to the A Troop family, but I will say the squadron has gone above and beyond in supporting us ... the squadron has definitely not forgotten us." ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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