Jason Carlyle Hicks, SSgt., USAF (Fallen)
May 01, 1977 – March 23, 2003

Staff Sgt. Jason Carlyle Hicks, U.S. Air Force, 25, of Jefferson, SC., lost his life Sunday, March 23, 2003 in Afghanistan in the crash of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter that also claimed the life of five other airmen. Sgt. Hicks was involved in a medical evacuation mission at the time of the crash.

Sgt. Hicks was born in Charlotte, NC. to Theresa S. Hicks and the late J. Carroll Hicks. He was a flight engineer with the U.S. Air Force 41st Rescue Squadron. Sgt. Hicks was a 1996 graduate of Central High School and a member of Fork Creek United Methodist Church.

In addition to his mother, Sgt. Hicks is survived by his wife, Cristy Nollen Hicks of Valdosta, GA.; mother, Theresa S. Hicks of Jefferson, SC.; brother, John Curtis Hicks of Charlotte, NC; sister, Janet H. Barbee and husband, Scott, of Monroe, NC.; grandmother, Kate B. Hicks of Pageland, SC.; and nephew, Landon Barbee.

A memorial service will be held after the interment at Arlington National Cemetery at Fork Creek United Methodist Church in Jefferson, SC at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to the Jason Carlyle Hicks Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o The Bank of Jefferson, PO Box 246, Jefferson, SC 29718.

Sutton Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Published in Charlotte Observer on Mar. 25, 2003 – See more at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?pid=886183#sthash.y7PuhZfR.dpuf

~GUEST BOOK~

July 28, 2013
Remembering Jason on this day. He will never be forgotten.

September 27, 2012
Still loving you and your mom…and my John Curtis.
~
Torie Love, Hosford, Florida

March 23, 2012
To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Jason Carlyle Hicks: Please accept my remembrance of Jason on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
~
Peggy Childers, Carson City, Nevada

August 07, 2011
From Alabama. To a hero, Staff Sgt. Jason Carlyle Hicks. How can we thank you enough? How can we give back to our country enough for the sacrifice you made on behalf of all of us. Our hearts go out to your family. There are any number of us from Colorado & Texas who keep you in memory. We are honored too, to be of the Hicks family. Godspeed valiant soul. May Providence be with your family now and forever, Amen.
~
C.N. ‘Case’ & Susan Hicks, Vestavia, Alabama

March 23, 2011
To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Jason Carlyle Hicks: Remembering Jason on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten! Peggy Childers  www.IraqWarHeroes.org
~
Peggy Childers, Carson City, Nevada

May 30, 2010
In loving memory of a wonderful man and hero on this Memorial Day. Jason is greatly missed.
~
Kelly Wright, Anderson, South Carolina

March 29, 2010
”Honor and Remember” – “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Almost 2,100 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse – at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
This is a gift! We have wonderful sponsors who help with the costs, and want you know that everyone here at Project Compassion does and will always CARE.
Contact us directly at Projectcompassion@manti.com or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You. Sincerely and Respectfully, Kenna, Projectcompassion@manti.com
~
Kenna, Manti, Utah

October 27, 2009
I can’t believe it has taken me this long to write……you will always be in my thoughts…..my heart goes out to krystal and your family! I miss you and your friendship……never again will I turn away from a friend but I know you passed doing what was in your heart and important to you……so much I wish i could say….

May 04, 2009
Jason, you are forever remembered for the life you gave and the love your family still holds for you. I know that you have brought your mom and I together and are up there with my son Buck. I give thanks to God for allowing you both to watch over us always. http://goldstarfamilysupportgroup.com
~
Debbi, South Carolina

March 23, 2009
To the family of Staff Sgt. Jason Carlyle Hicks: Jason gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. “Some gave all.”
Peggy Childers “Don’t Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away” www.IraqWarHeroes.org
~
Peggy Childers, Carson City, Nevada

February 23, 2009
Jason was a great person. I have went to school with him from the time we started. He was funny an OK football player but a good guy even in high school. I can say he is missed and loved because I do.
~
Amy Perez, Chesterfield, South Carolina

September 28, 2008
To the family of SSgt. Hicks. On this Gold Star Mother’s day, please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will never forget.
Lynn, SC Coordinator Home of the Brave Quilt Project
~
Lynn Kennedy,
Greenville, South Carolina

August 09, 2008
Jason, you should never believe that you will be forgotten for the service you gave your country. I for one will always remember.
http://goldstarfamilysupportgroup. com/
In memory of my son, Spc Harry (Buck) Winkler III, KIA 11/12/06 Samarra, Iraq, 82nd Airborne 2-505th PIR
~
Debbi, South Carolina

May 04, 2008
To Jason’s Family: I served with Jason at NASKEF and ran into him a few other places, and he was and is still a huge influence in my life. He was the nicest, most sincere, honest, and funny people I had ever met. I strive to carry the pride, humility, confidence, and sincerity that Jason made look so easy. My boy is a year old now, and he will know about my friend, and my brother in arms. My tattoos reflect his service and sacrifice, and he will live on in the memories of my family. -Here’s to dayroom toga parties, and friends in low places HOOAH-
~
Nick R, California

April 26, 2008
To the Hicks family, Please know that just as your loved one will forever remain in your hearts and minds, his sacrifice and that of your family, will remain with the people he died defending. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for his bravery and selflessness, or the heartache we feel for your loss. God grant you the peace that passes all understanding.
~
The Neal family, North Carolina

November 11, 2007
You are remembered and respected. Thank you Staff Sgt Hicks!

August 03, 2007
If this person can stand in battle to ensure my freedom, then I will stand in grief with his/her family to honor him/her. For every fallen HERO there is a bright star that shines in the evening sky to remind us of the cherished gift we were given – even if for too short a time.
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courageous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guest book for the rest of my life, but I promised Le Ron A. Wilson (a dear friend KIA 7/6/07, 18yrs old) that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.
~
PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER, Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

July 05, 2007
Thank you for the sacrifice made by Staff Sgt Hicks and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!
~
Ohio

April 04, 2007
To the Hicks family; I previously signed Jason’s guest book. I visit ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY three to five days a week. Each time I am there I always visit/honor Jason. From the most inner part of my heart I am so sorry he was taken from you. Jason it has been 4 years since you were taken. Please know sir that you are my hero and that you will NEVER be forgotten.
~
Tom Gugliuzza-Smith, Springfield, Virginia

September 26, 2006
Paying tribute to Staff Sgt. Jason Carlyle Hicks, with a Great Amount of Thanks for his courage, service and dedication to our Country and for Freedom.

May Jason rest, in the Care of God and know that he Truly is an American Hero.
May God’s Loving Grace and Comfort continue to be with the Hicks family.
Those who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice, So Many and So Young, shall NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
My brother among them. KIA-Vietnam 1967.

“And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes,
there shall be no more death,
nor sorrow, nor crying,
there shall be no more pain.
For the former things have passed away.”
Revelations 21:4

May the memories of your loved one, live in your heart always.
Staff Sgt. Hicks, You Are Not Forgotten.
~
Garnet Jenkins, Grand Junction, Colorado

March 16, 2006
My heartfelt sympathy to the Hicks family in the loss of Jason. I did not know Jason, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. Jason on the 23rd of this month it will be 3 years since you were taken. You are a hero and you will never be forgotten. I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace, Tom

To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die”
~Robert Orr~
~
Tom Gugliuzza-Smith, Springfield, Virginia

September 22, 2005
~
Wanda Cobb & Family, Jax, Florida

June 20, 2005
I wasn’t able to attend the funeral or memorial services for Jason, but I wanted you all to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. It’s been 2 years now and I still think of Jason. He was a wonderful guy and I thank God that I had the privilege of knowing him. Take care and remember that he is looking down on you from heaven–he’s your angel.
~
Kelly Wright, Anderson, South Carolina

May 26, 2005
My thoughts and prayers are with SSgt Hick’s family during this Memorial Day. I will forever be grateful to him for preserving & securing the ideals of our great nation. God Bless. , CMSgt Franciska Blankenfeld, United States Air Force
~
Franciska Blankenfeld, Colorado Springs, Colorado

March 28, 2003
My prayers go out to the family of Jason. He was a wonderful person to get to know. I finished school with him and just about every day he had a smile on his face. Jason will be greatly missed. God bless your family!
~
Amy Sikes Ricketts, Ruby, South Carolina

March 27, 2003
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of sorrow. Jason was such a wonderful person and I was privileged to call him a friend. He will be sorely missed. Just remember to look towards the heavens for strength during your toughest days.
~
Kristie Clark, Monroe, North Carolina

March 26, 2003
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. And I thank you on behalf of all Americans for your son’s ultimate sacrifice. God bless you.
~
Sheila, Waxhaw, North Carolina

March 25, 2003
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
~
Glenn and Bredae Graves, Lexington, South Carolina

March 25, 2003
I feel the loss even more since Jason is Family. My love to all.
~
Kathy Foerster, Nashville, Tennessee

March 25, 2003
We are so sorry for the terrible loss you have suffered. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult days.(Stephen Graves’ in-laws)
~
Robert, Celia Roberts, Kershaw, South Carolina

March 25, 2003
Remember we love you…our thoughts and prayers are with you..just think of all the memories and the good times….RONNIE, JULIA and MATT HICKS
~
Ronnie Hicks, Concord, North Carolina

March 25, 2003
~
Ralph & Linda Hildreth, Charlotte, North Carolina

March 25, 2003
Hi. My name is Danielle and I am a student here in North Carolina. It was an assignment for my class to look up obituaries for a project and I noticed that Jason died while on the flight that crashed. I just wanted to say that I am sorry for your loss and I am very appreciative for the things that your son/brother/husband/friend did for our country. Don’t think of this as a time of loss. Think of it as a time for gain because you have gained an angel.
~
Danielle, Matthews, North Carolina

March 25, 2003
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
~
Bud Boatwright, South Carolina

HH-60G #97-26778
Afghanistan
23 March 2003

HH-60G #97-26778 (Call sign “Komodo 11) of the 347th RW, 41st RQS, crewed by Lt. Col. John Stein (P), Capt. Tamara L. Archuleta (CP), SSgt. Jason Hicks (FE), MSgt. Michael Maltz (PJ), SSgt. John Teal (AG) and Sr. Amn. Jason Plite (PJ) crashed while on a medical evacuation mission in Afghanistan. The helicopter was doing a night low level air refueling when is disconnected and impacted the terrain. Six crewmembers were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed.

http://usaf.aib.law.af.mil/ExecSum2003/HH-60G_FOL_23Mar03.pdf

AIR FORCE RELEASES AFGHANISTAN HELICOPTER
ACCIDENT REPORT

Posted: Tuesday, December 6, 2005 2:19 am – Updated: 2:30 am, Fri Sep 12, 2014.

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE — The primary cause of a helicopter crash that killed six Moody Air Force Base airmen in Afghanistan remains undetermined, according to an Air Force accident report.

Brig. Gen. Gregory Power, vice commander, Headquarters 8th Air Force, Barksdale AFB, LA., released the findings of the report Thursday at Moody.

Power served as Accident Investigation Board president in determining why the HH-60G crashed on March 23.

Killed in the crash were Lt. Col. John Stein, 1st Lt. Tamara Archuleta, Staff Sgt. John Teal, Staff Sgt. Jason Hicks, all of the 48th Rescue Squadron; and Master Sgt. Michael Maltz and Senior Airman Jason Plite, both with the 38th Rescue Squadron. Power praised them as heroes.

“They served their country with honor and were dedicated to winning the global war against terrorism,” Power said. “I would like to give my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of these great airmen, and I hope that no one will forget the sacrifice they made so that others might live.”

The accident occurred during the inflight refueling of the HH-60G that was enroute to an urgent medical evacuation for two children. During the refueling, the helicopter disconnected from the HC-130P aircraft that was refueling it and hit the ground a few seconds later, where it was destroyed.

From an analysis of the helicopter and coroner’s report, the board is convinced that the crew died instantly with the impact of the crash.
 
“The reason we know that they died instantly — because there was no indication on any of the crew members of inhaling any of the fuel fumes or things of that nature after the impact,” Powers said.

The report indicates three factors contributed to the accident.

The HC-130P was flying at an altitude of 350 feet above ground level, which was 150 feet below the required altitude of 500 feet, Powers said.

Second, the illumination reduced the effectiveness of the night vision goggles the crews were wearing, which caused spatial disorientation and loss of situational awareness.

The third factor was the terrain’s high altitude was at 9,000 feet above sea level. That, combined with a climbing 30-degree bank turn during refueling, made it difficult for the helicopter to maintain its refueling position, Power said.

Also, the autopsy performed on Stein found that the main artery to the aircraft commander’s heart had a 95-percent blockage. “The board could not determine whether he possibly was having chest pains or an irregular heart beat or possibly even a heart attack,” Power said. “The autopsy was able to just determine there was this blockage.”

The annual flight physical last fall on Stein, 39, didn’t show any alarming signals that the medical community is trained to look for. His blood pressure and cholesterol level were normal, and he had passed his annual bicycle test, which monitors the heart.

Although there are accidents involving aircraft in the Air Force, Power wasn’t aware of any similar accidents involving helicopters during refueling operations such as the one that took the lives of the six Moody airmen.

During the past few days, Power and another member of the investigation board led teams that informed the families of the deceased airmen of the board’s findings. In virtually all the cases, the families were very understanding, Power said.

The hope is that knowing details will help in the grieving process. The families know their loved ones died as heroes trying to perform and important mission.

“We’ll always remember them with that in mind,” Power said. “They were flying a risky mission that search and rescue happens to be and do in all conditions, and we’re thankful that we have people like that.