The Alaska-based airman shot and killed this week at Kabul airport was Maj. David L. Brodeur, a father of two who had been deployed since February.
Brodeur's family identified the slain airman Wednesday in a prepared statement. The 34-year-old was originally from Auburn, Mass., and was working as an adviser to the Afghan Command and Control Center, his family said.
Brodeur was one of eight U.S. service personnel killed Wednesday when a veteran Afghan military pilot opened fire at the Kabul airport. An American civilian contractor was also killed. The gunman, who died in an exchange of fire that followed his attack, was said to be distressed over his personal finances.
Brodeur served as executive officer for the 11th Air Force, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
"David was a wonderful and caring father, husband, son and brother who was committed to the service of his country," his father, Lawrence Brodeur, told the Worcester, Mass., Telegram and Gazette. "Words are inadequate to express how much we miss him."
The paper described Brodeur as an F-16 pilot and a married father of two. He had lived in Alaska at least since 2008, according to voter registration records.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family has asked people to donate to a college fund created for the airman's children. Under the heading "Maj. David Brodeur 529 College Fund," you can write to Air Warrior Courage Foundation, P.O. Box 877, Silver Springs, MD, 20918. Or call (877) 921-2923 or email awcf@airwarriorcourage.org.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Call Kyle Hopkins at 257-4334 or email khopkins@adn.com.
By KYLE HOPKINS
khopkins@adn.com