ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Office of Special Investigations Fallen Hero Special Agent (Staff Sergeant) Chester McBride was recognized by the 78th Air Base Wing, during the Robins Proud Forum Feb. 25, 2020, at the base theater here.
The monthly event is an initiative to integrate mission partners at Robins AFB to discuss a variety topics that ultimately serve to strengthen the physical, social, mental and spiritual well- being of Airmen. This particular forum focused on helping agencies and being a Wingman for your brothers and sisters in arms.
Col. Brian Moore, Commander, 78 ABW, began the event by paying tribute to McBride, describing him as the “quintessential Wingman.”
Col. Moore highlighted McBride’s personal accomplishments, including his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Savannah State University in 2007 and a Master of Public Administration degree from Valdosta State University in 2015.
McBride enlisted in the Air Force in 2007 where he initially served as a Security Forces Defender before becoming an OSI Special Agent in 2012.
“But what he really wanted to do was deploy and serve his country,” Col. Moore said. “He got his chance in 2015.”
In October 2015, McBride deployed to OSI Expeditionary Detachment 2405, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. On Dec. 21, 2015, McBride was killed in action while on patrol outside Bagram after an attack by a suicide bomber. Three other OSI Special Agents and two Security Forces Defenders working with OSI were also killed in the attack.
“What makes Sergeant McBride’s story maybe even a little more impactful to us as warriors, is after the evidence came out, it was clear that he protected a linguist in order to save her life. She is alive today because of him laying down his life for one of his partners,” Col. Moore explained. “These are the sacrifices we all signed up for, but very few actually pay that last full measure of devotion that Sergeant McBride did. We are proud of him. We are thankful to his family...and he was one of us. We pay honor and tribute to him and thank him for his service. We can never forget.”
The Wing traditionally honors Gold Star families at Wing events. SA McBride’s family was unable to attend, however, members from OSI Det. 105 and Procurement Fraud Det. 5 OL-A were in attendance to honor SA McBride and his sacrifices.
The event was broadcast on the Robins AFB Facebook page via Facebook live and can be viewed at: ?vh=e