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Goodfellow bids farewell to one of its own

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brok McCarthy
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
Everyone who knew Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson said the same thing: she was a one-of-a-kind Airman; everything she did, she did with an infectious smile and sense of enthusiasm.

Her first sergeant, Senior Master Sgt. Philip Neal, said that in the time he knew her, there were three phrases she loved to use "Please, thank you and I'll help."

So when this member of the 17th Security Forces Squadron heard that a group of her peers would be deploying to Iraq, she was right there to say, "Please, let me help."

Again, while she was at Camp Bucca and people were needed to serve as convoy security, she was saying, "Please, let me help."

Unfortunately, she will never again be able to speak those words that endeared her to so many.

Airman 1st Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson lost her life Sept. 28 when an improvised explosive device exploded while she performed convoy security duty outside Camp Bucca, Iraq. At the time of the explosion, she was a passenger in a Humvee. According to reports, she and the driver were killed instantly and another passenger was critically injured. She had been deployed for more than three months with the 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at the time of the attack.

She is the first female Air Force security forces member and first person deployed from Goodfellow to be killed in the line of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"What I think I will miss most about her is the way she could cheer you up no matter what mood you were in," said Senior Airman Christopher Bauer, a friend and fellow security forces member.

Before Airman Jacobson deployed, she went through extensive prison guard training and then convoy training. During that time she called her friends, including Airman Bauer to chat and let them know how her training was going.

"After she deployed, she called me two or three times a month," he said. "She loved what she was doing."

"Liz had a glow about her that could light up a moonless night," said Chief Master Sgt. Richard Baliko, 17th SFS superintendent. "She was never without a smile or a good attitude."

He said it may sound cliché, but she lived the core values. The words "can't," "won't" or "impossible" did not exist in her vocabulary.

From the day she arrived here, she was always motivated to do what needed to be done to the best of her abilities, he said.

"Security Forces duties are mundane at times," said Maj. Kenneth O'Neil, 17th SFS commander. "Airman Jacobson made them interesting through her personality. She will be sorely missed by her unit and the Air Force."

A memorial service was held here Oct. 6 to thank her for her service and to celebrate her life. During the ceremony, friends and coworkers read scripture passages and short speeches on why they would remember her. Chief Baliko then read a eulogy. A 21-gun salute was rendered at the conclusion of the service.

Airman Jacobson entered the Air Force Dec. 9, 2003, from West Palm Beach, Fla. She was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for her dedication to the United States Air Force and service to her country.

Thank you for all you gave, Elizabeth; your family, friends and wingmen will all miss you.