Remembering a fallen hero

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Hopkins plays during a memorial ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 30, 2013. The memorial ceremony commemorated the life and accomplishments of Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, who died in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft accident, while deployed to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski/Released)

Remembering a fallen hero

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Johnny Vargas, 77th Fighter Squadron commander, speaks at a memorial ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 30, 2013. The memorial ceremony commemorated the life and accomplishments of Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, who died in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft accident, while deployed to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski/Released)

Remembering a fallen hero

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Johnny Vargas, 77th Fighter Squadron commander hands a medal to the mother of Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, during a memorial ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 30, 2013. The memorial ceremony commemorated the life and accomplishments Steel, who died in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft accident, while deployed to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski/Released)

Remembering a fallen hero

Family, friends and service members gather for a memorial ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 30, 2013. The memorial ceremony commemorated the life and accomplishments of Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, who died in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft accident, while deployed to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski/Released)

77th FS returns to Shaw

More than 400 friends, family members, co-workers and supervisors anxiously await approximately 100 Airmen assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron who returned to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 25, 2013, after a six-month deployment in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young/Released)

77th Returns to Shaw

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Johnny Vargas, 77th Fighter Squadron commander, shakes the hand of an Airmen assigned to the 77th FS at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 25, 2013. More than 400 friends, family members, co-workers and supervisors greeted approximately 100 Airmen assigned to the 77th FS who returned from a six-month deployment in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young/Released)