KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- For our Fallen Warrior commemoration this week, we remember U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Loftis, 866th Air Expeditionary Squadron member.
Loftis was born on February 22, 1968 in Paducah, Kentucky.
He entered the Air Force in 1996 as a Space and Missile Officer after receiving his commission through Officer Training School. He then studied to become a Regional Affairs Strategist in 2008.
Loftis deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 with a Provincial Reconstruction Team with a mission to help Afghanistan rebuild its infrastructure.
Loftis helped bridge the Afghan and American cultures while deployed. He worked with “AfPak Hands,” a program of specially trained U.S. service members skilled in Afghan and Pakistani culture and language.
He was fluent in Afghanistan’s official language Pashto, which made it possible for him and his team to engage directly with the local Afghans. Loftis was given the Pashto name Ehsaan, meaning “The Quality of Being Generous”.
On February 25, 2012, Loftis died during an attack at the Interior Ministry in Kabul.
He is survived by his wife, Holly Loftis, and children Alison and Camille.
Editor's note: The Fallen Warrior series highlights Fallen Warriors who exemplify our core values and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Take a moment to honor this week’s hero.