Rededicated - Brandenburg Hall

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sarah Williams
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs

The 17th Training Wing rededicated Brandenburg Hall May 12.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the shoot-down of Baron 52,” said retired Air Force Maj. Larry Miller, District 6 councilman. “Everyone’s presence today showed their sacrifices, especially that of Sgt. Dale Brandenburg will not be forgotten.”

Brandenburg Hall was initially dedicated in 2014 to Sgt. Dale Brandenburg, a Vietnam War veteran, and airborne radio maintenance technician.

Brandenburg enlisted on May 3, 1971, and in May 1972, he attended the Airborne Radio Maintenance training course at Goodfellow. He served as an EC-47Q maintenance technician, tasked with moving the aircraft as a part of the U.S. military’s final withdrawal from the Vietnam War.

In February 1973, Brandenburg and seven other crew members were given a night mission to find and fix radio communications in southern Laos. During the mission, the aircraft named Baron 52 was shot down, and the members aboard were killed.

Col. Jason Kulchar, 17th Training Group commander, was joined by other base leadership and Sgt. Brandenburg’s sister-in-law, Mrs. Amelia Brandenburg, as well as his niece, Ms. Andrea Doyal to celebrate the rededication and acknowledge the new tribute mural memorial.

“One of our stated goals is to keep alive the history and contributions of those who served before us in the many intelligence and intel-related career fields,” said retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. JJ Graham. “And to keep this flame of knowledge burning in those currently serving and in those young airmen in training.”