A locker containing items that represented U.S. Air Force Capt. James Steel and his career were displayed during his memorial service in Hangar 1200 at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 30, 2013. Steel, a member of the 77th Fighter Squadron was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed during combat maneuvers in Afghanistan April 3, 2013. More than 450 people attended the memorial. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young/Released)

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Capt. Steel memorial

Family members, friends, co-workers mourn for Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, during his memorial in Hangar 1200 at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 30, 2013. More than 450 people attended the memorial. Steel passed away when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Afghanistan April 3, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

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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)

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Remembering a fallen hero

The Shaw honor guard performs a 21-gun salute 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)

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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)

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Remembering a fallen hero

The Shaw honor guard performs a 21-gun salute 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)

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Remembering a fallen hero

Family, friends and service members view a display of career achievements 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)

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Remembering a fallen hero

Shaw leaders bow their heads during a prayer 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)

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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)

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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)

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Capt. Steel memorial

Family members, friends, co-workers mourn for Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, during his memorial in Hangar 1200 at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 30, 2013. More than 450 people attended the memorial. Steel passed away when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Afghanistan April 3, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

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Capt. Steel memorial

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Hopkins plays "Amazing Grace" with a bagpipe during a memorial held for Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, in Hangar 1200 at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 30, 2013. More than 450 people attended the memorial. Steel passed away when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Afghanistan April 3, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

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Capt. Steel memorial

Shaw Air Force Base Honor Guard members perform a 3-volley rifle salute during a memorial held for Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, in Hangar 1200 at Shaw AFB, S.C., April 30, 2013. More than 450 people attended the memorial. Steel passed away when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Afghanistan April 3, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

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Capt. Steel memorial

Shaw Air Force Base Honor Guard members finish performing a 3-volley rifle salute during a memorial held for Capt. James Steel, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, in Hangar 1200 at Shaw AFB, S.C., April 30, 2013. More than 450 people attended the memorial. Steel passed away when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in Afghanistan April 3, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

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Remembering a fallen hero

Published May 7, 2013
By 20th Fighter Wing
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Family, friends and service members gathered for a memorial ceremony here, April 30.

Loved ones came together to commemorate 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.

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Capt. Steel memorial

Remembering a fallen hero

Remembering a fallen hero

Remembering a fallen hero

Remembering a fallen hero

Remembering a fallen hero

Remembering a fallen hero

Remembering a fallen hero

Remembering a fallen hero

Capt. Steel memorial

Capt. Steel memorial

Capt. Steel memorial

Capt. Steel memorial