Biography of
SSgt Jason C. Hicks
May 1, 1977 - March 23, 2003
Staff Sgt. Jason C. Hicks was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 1, 1977. Jason grew up in Pageland and Jefferson, South Carolina. He graduated Central High School in Pageland, South Carolina, where he played varsity football. He was a member of the Pageland Rescue Squad as well as the Highpoint-East Side Fire Department. Jason enlisted in the United States Air Force from Jefferson, South Carolina, May 1, 1996.
Jason attended Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where upon graduation he accepted training as an HH-60G helicopter crew chief. After his apprenticeship, Jason received an assignment to Keflavic Air Base, Iceland, where he was introduced to Air Force Combat Search and Rescue. He spent his time learning systems and operations of the HH-60G and decided his talents would be better suited as a helicopter flight engineer. Armed with his skills, attitude and knowledge he aspired and pursued training in aviation operations. Jason received orders to the 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia, as a helicopter crew chief, then in 2001 he was approved for cross training as a helicopter flight engineer.
Once selected for retraining, Jason was permanently assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia, where he began training as a flight engineer. Soon he received orders to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, to attend the Basic Flight Engineer Course and then Initial Qualification Training as a flight engineer. He then came back to Moody as a fully qualified flight engineer. While serving as a CSAR flight engineer, he took part in deployments with the 41st RQS to OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in July 2002 and again in February 2003. He flew on numerous combat support missions, took part in saving the lives of American and coalition soldiers and airmen, as well as performed combat medical recoveries for Afghan local nationals.
During his career, Jason received numerous awards and honors to include The Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon.
Jason was a graduate of the Avionics Systems Technology Course, the Airman leadership School, and was actively pursuing his Associates of Applied Science from the Community college of the Air Force Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology.
Jason is missed dearly by his many family, friends, and the Rescue community.
May 1, 1977 - March 23, 2003
Staff Sgt. Jason C. Hicks was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 1, 1977. Jason grew up in Pageland and Jefferson, South Carolina. He graduated Central High School in Pageland, South Carolina, where he played varsity football. He was a member of the Pageland Rescue Squad as well as the Highpoint-East Side Fire Department. Jason enlisted in the United States Air Force from Jefferson, South Carolina, May 1, 1996.
Jason attended Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where upon graduation he accepted training as an HH-60G helicopter crew chief. After his apprenticeship, Jason received an assignment to Keflavic Air Base, Iceland, where he was introduced to Air Force Combat Search and Rescue. He spent his time learning systems and operations of the HH-60G and decided his talents would be better suited as a helicopter flight engineer. Armed with his skills, attitude and knowledge he aspired and pursued training in aviation operations. Jason received orders to the 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia, as a helicopter crew chief, then in 2001 he was approved for cross training as a helicopter flight engineer.
Once selected for retraining, Jason was permanently assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia, where he began training as a flight engineer. Soon he received orders to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, to attend the Basic Flight Engineer Course and then Initial Qualification Training as a flight engineer. He then came back to Moody as a fully qualified flight engineer. While serving as a CSAR flight engineer, he took part in deployments with the 41st RQS to OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in July 2002 and again in February 2003. He flew on numerous combat support missions, took part in saving the lives of American and coalition soldiers and airmen, as well as performed combat medical recoveries for Afghan local nationals.
During his career, Jason received numerous awards and honors to include The Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon.
Jason was a graduate of the Avionics Systems Technology Course, the Airman leadership School, and was actively pursuing his Associates of Applied Science from the Community college of the Air Force Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology.
Jason is missed dearly by his many family, friends, and the Rescue community.