Air Force Maj. Jeffrey O. Ausborn

Died April 27, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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41, of Gadsden, Ala.; assigned to 99th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; died April 27 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from gunfire from an Afghan military trainee.

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Fallen airmen’s bodies arrive at Dover

By Jill Laster

Staff writer

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. — The bodies of eight airmen killed in Afghanistan returned to the U.S. early April 30, with the Air Force’s top leader in attendance.

The airmen and a U.S. contractor died April 27 when an Afghan pilot opened fire at Kabul International Airport, reportedly after an argument.

Top Air Force and military leaders — including Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy — were in attendance for the dignified transfer.

The Defense Department on April 29 released the names of the eight airmen killed in the attack. They include:

* Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr., 37, of Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

* Maj. Philip D. Ambard, 44, of Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

* Maj. Jeffrey O. Ausborn, 41, of Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

* Maj. David L. Brodeur, 34, of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

* Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington, Md.

* Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II, 40, of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

* Capt. Nathan J. Nylander, 35, of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

* Maj. Charles A. Ransom, 31, of Langley-Eustis.

Also on April 29, the International Security Assistance Force released details of its initial investigation into the shooting, “in light of inaccuracy in media reports to date on this incident,” according to an ISAF release.

ISAF concluded that the gunman, who was carrying two weapons, left the room where the shooting occurred severely wounded, dying in a different location within the building. He appeared to be acting alone and had no connection with the Taliban, according to ISAF.

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Major volunteered for Afghan tour, wife says

The Associated Press

GADSDEN, Ala. — A 41-year-old Gadsden native training pilots in Afghanistan was among nine people who died after an Afghan military pilot opened fire during a meeting at the Kabul airport.

The flag-draped coffin of Air Force Maj. Jeffrey Ausborn arrived at Dover Air Force Base, Del., early April 30.

His wife, Suzanna, said he volunteered to go to Afghanistan last year to teach new Afghan pilots how to fly the C-27 aircraft. He was a 19-year veteran of the Air Force.

“He was the most compassionate, kind, patient and understanding husband, father, pilot and supervisor,” she told The Gadsden Times.

She said the two talked nearly every day. “That’s how is knew something was wrong. I didn’t hear from him. I miss him so much,” she said.

In addition to his wife, survivors include five children: Emily, 15; Eric 12; Shelby, 10; Mitchell Maloy, 21; and Summer Maloy, 17.

A spokesman for the Afghan Air Corps said the shooting occurred April 27 during a meeting. Eight American troops and a U.S. contractor were killed. The gunman, 48-year-old Ahmad Gul, died in an exchange of gunfire.