The Long Walk Back

Image courtesy: Senior Airman Joanna Kresgel

A Jan. 5 combat patrol was nothing new for Senior Airman Bryan Bell. As seen in the photo above, the dedicated explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician spent countless training hours driving around humvees and learning how to disable bombs. Most importantly, the 23-year-old Erie, Pennsylvania, native had previous combat experience in Iraq.

Experience was a strong suit for one of the brave men riding with Bell that Thursday in Afghanistan's Helmand province. Tech Sgt. Matthew Schwartz, 34, was on his sixth combat deployment, according to his hometown newspaper in Michigan, the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Airman 1st Class Matthew Seidler, 24, was on his first combat deployment, according to WJLA-TV. The EOD technician, hailing from Westminster, Maryland, had been training for moments like this one since November 2009, when he volunteered for the United States Air Force.

As the three airmen navigated Shir ghazi, a district in Afghanistan's volatile south, their vehicle struck a roadside bomb. After saving countless Afghans, Iraqis, and Americans by disabling so many improvised explosive devices during their military careers, a crude device planted by cowardly terrorists is what ultimately took their lives.

Loved ones and friends in western Pennsylvania are remembering Senior Airman Bell, a married man who once served as a firefighter, as a warrior who willingly put his life at risk.

"He always made it a point to say, 'Dad, it's what I want to do,'" Rick Bell told the Erie Times-News.

Tech. Sgt. Schwartz was a courageous airman who went overseas six times to defend freedom. He was also husband and father of three little girls.

"I can't remember a time without him," Jennifer Schwartz told the Record-Eagle about her late husband, who she met in high school.

Image courtesy: Schwartz family

Airman 1st Class Seidler's family was already dealing with the stress of seeing him deploy for the first time. As they bring his flag-draped casket home from Delaware's Dover Air Force Base, the military is making caring for the fallen airman's loved ones a top priority.

"We will come together to help Matt's family and friends through their grief," Air Force Col. Chris Crawford said. A photo of Seidler is displayed below.

The EOD community is among the tightest-knit groups inside the military. While it's hard to imagine driving forward after losing four bomb disposal experts in a week (Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad Regelin made the ultimate sacrifice on Jan. 2), the memory of these remarkable warriors, as well as fallen brothers like Gunnery Sgt. EJ Pate and Tech Sgt. Daniel Douville, looms large on the valiant men and women who carry on.

"This has truly been a rough start to the year but I know that each name we put on the wall would still choose to be in this career field if they had the chance to go back in time," an explosive ordnance disposal technician posted on the Fallen EOD Warriors Facebook page. "To all the techs that have not made that long walk back, we will never forget you. You are always on our hearts and minds."

Image courtesy: U.S. Air Force