Sergeant Emelio F. Martinez Jr., a 23-year-old native of San Bernardino, CA, made the ultimate sacrifice on February 28, 1984. He was aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130E Hercules taking part in a joint exercise with the Spanish Air Force when the aircraft tragically crashed into a mountain near Borja, Spain due to poor weather conditions. The loss of Sgt Martinez and his six fellow Combat Controllers during this training mission remains a solemn chapter in the history of Air Force Special Tactics. Their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty is honored and forever remembered by the Combat Control community.