Congressman Sanford Bishop

Representing the 2nd District of Georgia

CONGRESSMAN BISHOP MOURNS LOSS OF GEORGIA AIR NATIONAL GUARD AND AIRMEN OF ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE

MACON, GA – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement lamenting the deaths of Georgia Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. James Swartz, an aerospace propulsion superintendent with the 116th Air Control Wing; Georgia Air National Guard Master Sgt Daniel Paschal, an aerospace propulsion craftsman with the 116th ACW; and active-duty Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Schoenhoff, an instrument and flight control systems specialist with the 461st Air Control Wing. The three Airmen, members of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS) Team, were on temporary duty at Kadena Air Base in Japan. While visiting the northwest coast of Okinawa Island, high winds swept the three airmen out to sea. All three bodies have been recovered.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic deaths of Master Sgt. James Swartz, Master Sgt Daniel Paschal, and Staff Sgt. Joshua Schoenhoff,” said Congressman Bishop. “Our grateful nation's thoughts and prayers go out to their family, friends, and fellow Airmen during this difficult time of loss."

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113th Congress