of the 10th Anniversary of an Air Force C-130 Hercules transport crash while carrying 9 personnel of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Secret Service in support of a visit to the Jackson area by former President Clinton and his family...
*** Latest update - 4/16/09
As of April 2009, I have spoken with someone involved in the investigation of the crash that day via his viewing of this website. While nothing known has changed regarding the circumstances we all know were the cause of this tragedy, he wanted me to know & to pass on to the families and others interested, that good things have come from that investigation. New devices to monitor terrain (GPWS), both forward and down-looking, have been installed on current aircraft. The incident has been repeatedly briefed to new crews to this day, to help avoid any mistakes in information regarding civilian airports and local terrain. Air Force regs, particularly AFM 51-37, have been updated to reflect information & procedures learned as a result of this crash. This individual, wanted me to know & pass on to those so interested, that the sacrifice of these individuals, had value, meant something to those doing the investigation, and in the end, that they would not be forgotten. After 13 years, it certainly affected him. wf
LINK to images from the event
On August 17th, 1996, an Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft (Havoc 58) from Dyess AFB in Texas, crashed after dark on climbout just below the ridge into Sheep Mountain, also known locally as the Sleeping Indian (see images below). All 9 persons on board died in the crash. A year later in 1997, the community of Jackson, WY, erected a monument to this event in nearby Curtis Canyon. 10 years later, members of the Jackson community wish to remember this tragic occasion, on August 19th and 20th, 2006, by hosting the families of those lost during a commemoration at the monument, a BBQ, and some might also trek to the actual crash location. In events such as this, it is the families that bear the loss and it is our wish to honor their sacrifice as well. We wish to acknowledge that those in service to our country, do not only pay the ultimate sacrifice overseas or in war, but in peacetime and at home in America.
This event was supported by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Hole Supports Our Troops (Sandra Bockman), Jackson's American Legion Post 43 (Walt Farmer), the Jackson Jaycees (Kelly Bass), U.S. Forest Service (Dave Cunningham), and the U.S. Secret Service Employee Recreation Assoc. (Lee Dotson). Other businesses or entities proffering support, discounts or subsidies, will be listed below on this page as they are volunteered.
Further updates on
this webpage and in press releases, to inform the public, will be regularly
posted. It will be our privilege to honor these families, and those who
served and all will be invited to share in that sentiment. The public is
most welcome to participate, especially during the memorial ceremonies on the
19th.
In honor of 
USAF C-130 Crewmembers
Capt Kevin Earnest
Capt Kimberly Wielhouwer
2Lt Benjamin Hall
SSgt Michael Smith
SrA Rick Merritt
SrA Michael York
SrA Billy Ogston
Amn Thomas Stevens
U.S. Secret Service
Physical Security Specialist Aldo Frascoia
This was the schedule of events for the
commemoration............
8/16 - Thursday - The
flag at the American Legion post will be lowered to half-staff & a notice
of this event placed in the notice box below the flag.
8/17 - Friday - 6pm - Bar-b-que at the
Legion Hall for hosts, guests and families, hosted by the Jackson Jaycees and
the SSERA.
8/19 - Saturday - 1pm - Families and others meet at the Legion Hall to shuttle/carpool out to the memorial site in Curtis Canyon, escorted by Sheriff Bob Zimmer.
Printable directions if traveling separately to the Memorial Plaque site at this LINK.
2pm - Ceremonies at the
Memorial location - the public is invited/encouraged to attend an pay
respects.
Invocation - Rev Ken Asel
Comments by local officials: Teton Co. Sheriff Bob Zimmer, Jackson Mayor Mark
Barron, Acting Forest
Supervisor John Peterson, U.S. Secret Service Asst. Director of Investigations
Michael Stenger,
USAF representative - SSgt Peter Burger
Comments by family members
Letter(s) read from family members not able to attend
Wreaths presented: Family members, Emergency Responders - GTNP Ranger Rick
Guerreri,
American Legion Post 43 Commander David Bentlage, U.S. Secret Service - Michael
Stenger,
USFS - John Peterson, Organizing Committee representative Sandra
Bockman
Benediction: Rev Ken Asel
Military jet flyover - 3 passes, first for orientation and 2nd in missing-man
formation, and the 3rd
was over the Memorial site with a missing-man breakaway - led by former
Naval
LCDR Rich Sugden (w/USAF Capt Dave Macaluso - USAF Ret, and Peter Kline) - Well
Done
Fury
Flight
Salute and Taps: American Legion Post 43 and Fred Ryan
Flag at Legion Post raised back to
full-staff.
8/20 - Sunday AM - Families and hosts will meet at the Legion Hall (Home-Ranch parking lot) to travel to trailhead for hike or horseback ride to the top of Sheep Mountain & visit the crash site. (Not open to the general public.)
A big thank-you from our Organization committee to all who helped make this event a memorable one for these families.
Event Contacts:
Sandra Bockman -
307.543,2135
Capt Walt Farmer, USAF Ret. - 307.733.2173 or 690.6909
Lee Dotson - 307.307.690.0252
Locals/Merchants
providing comps, discounts, or other offerings are:
Trapper
Inn
Town Square Inns
The Alpine House Inn
B&B
Snow King Resort
Buckboard Transportation
(shuttle rides for families)
U.S. Secret Service (organization,
dinners)
American Legion Post 43 (wreaths,
host)
Jackson Jaycees (organization, dinners)
Joe Albright and
Flat Creek Ranch- (horses,
guide)
Jeff Lutz &
Industrial Strength
Music
Anonymous
Teton Aviation
(Flyover)
Jesse O'Connor
EagleRider
of Jackson Hole (shuttle
vans)
Judy Moses (rodeo tickets)
Bob Barlow (horses -
outfitter)
Fred Ryan (Bugler)
Gros Ventre
River
Ranch
Jackson Hole Rodeo
Image
CNN
Sleeping
Indian from Hwy. 89
Memorial
plaque
Memorial site -
parking
Click on Image to bring up larger image. Then scroll left/right to see full image.
All images: Walt Farmer