Former Shaw pilot among Kabul murder victims Published May 9, 2011 By Capt. Amy West 56th Fighter Wing public affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Quiet giant. Humble. Tremendously respected. Genuine. These were the repeated words that friends and family members at Luke to describe the former Shaw F-16 pilot who was among the nine Americans killed by an Afghan air force officer in the April 27 Kabul International Airport shooting. Lt. Col. Frank Bryant Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and the Air Force. He was assigned to Luke's 56th Operations Group and had been deployed to the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group in Afghanistan since June 2010. "We're devastated by the loss of Colonel Bryant," said Brig. Gen. J.D. Harris Jr., the 56th Fighter Wing commander. "He was an excellent pilot, wingman and Airman. He excelled in everything he did." Known by his fellow pilots and friends as "Bruiser," the Knoxville, Tenn., native began his Air Force career at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1991, where he was the 1995 wrestling team captain and most valuable player. After graduation, he was assigned to Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., for undergraduate pilot training and subsequently as a T-37 instructor pilot. He became a decorated F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with 3,047 total flying hours, 121 of which were in combat. His assignments included Kunsan Air Base, South Korea; Shaw AFB, S.C.; and Luke AFB, Ariz. He also served a tour as an exchange pilot to the United Arab Emirates. In addition to his most recent deployment as an air adviser to Combined Joint Chiefs of Staff Afghanistan-Pakistan Hands Program, a program designed to help coalition forces build lasting relationships with locals by providing members with language and regional cultural training, he also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Friends described the affable hero as someone who excelled at everything, but you would never know it because he never bragged nor boasted, they said. A Luke AFB family member since August 2007, his impact on his Team Luke superiors and peers was mentioned again and again at the recent memorial service. "Lt. Col. Frank "Bruiser" Bryant was an absolute giant among men," wrote retired Lt. Col. Jeffrey Lovelace, Colonel Bryant's squadron commander while in the 63rd Fighter Squadron, on a website honoring Colonel Bryant. "I served with many exceptional officers during my Air Force career, but there was something so special about Bruiser's collective traits of leadership, humility and profound dedication that put him at the forefront of the very future of our Air Force. To say he was 'one of our nation's finest' is such a gross understatement to those who had the distinct honor of knowing him. His legacy is the inspirational enthusiasm, professionalism and love of country he instilled in the countless young officers he taught to fly the F-16." "Frank was one of those rare individuals who was always smiling and always happy," said long-time best friend, Clarence Dunagan. "His sense of loyalty and honor were unsurpassed." Constantly exuding humor, "Frank had the best character of anyone I have ever met," a sentiment echoed by his friends.