Region 4 Update

Santa Flight for the Books

By LT Jamel "Trench Foot" Lawson, USN

4 HSC-2 “Fleet Angels” Flight Schedule Excerpt

When: Saturday, 03 December 2022

Where: Hampton Roads AOR (Norfolk, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach)

Route: Low, slow pass along Oceanview Beach

Crew Composition:

• HAC: LT Lawson “Elf#1”

• CP: LT Acuna “Elf#2”

• UA: AWSCM Nord “Santa”

• AA: AWSCM Coulard “Elf#3” & AWS2 Volkers

“Elf#4”

• Photographer: MC3 McDonough

Mission:

Show military appreciation to the Hampton Roads AOR

Commander’s Intent:

• Initially fragged as a community relations collaboration with news outlets publicizing the flight event to local businesses and area residents in advance.

• Internal command event to usher in the Christmas Holiday and improve esprit de corps.

• Unintended consequence resulted in bringing huge smiles to Megan Buriak & son, Caulder.

Commentary from LT Lawson:

"I had no idea that AWS1 Buriak's Family would be at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront when we planned this flight. My original intent for our Oceanfront stop was to fly slowly down the Oceanfront while Santa waved to anyone who was present. However, upon noticing that his family was present, we made it a point to acknowledge them. I was on deployment with AWS1 Buriak as a member of HSC-8's Eightballers in the first half of 2020 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. I spent 6 months working and flying with AWS1 Buriak. I can honestly say that he was a solid individual, and I had a great deal of respect for him. My most fond memory of AWS1 Buriak is when he saved a man from drowning in Guam during our first port call, and in the process of saving the man's life, he received a significant cut from the coral reef, causing a severe infection on his foot. This event alone was a testament to his selfless character and commitment to protecting others.

Unfortunately, when the mishap and memorial of the crew of Loosefoot 616 took place, I was on deployment with the Black Knights of HSC-4 onboard USS Carl Vinson, therefore I was unable to attend. Seeing the words "AWS1 Buriak Son" written in the sand immediately caught the crew's attention, and in all honesty, it gave me goosebumps and I abruptly took a hard right. As a crew, we felt it was only right to pay our respects to AWS1 Buriak and his family by circling over them. As we circled over top, the moment felt divine, as if it were ordained by God for us to be above AWS1 Buriak's son and family. I felt that the crew of five in Redhawk 733, along with an MC3 to capture the moment, were there as an airborne memorial for the five Sailors who lost their lives in the crash of Loosefoot 616 and as a symbol of God's presence in the Buriak family's life. Time will only tell the lasting impact that this will have on his son, but I am eternally grateful that my crew and I were able to have a positive impact on someone's life that day."

Commentary from Megan Buriak: "Caulder and I were super grateful to experience the Santa fly-over with HSC-2 this morning. Since losing my husband, AWS1 James “Jimmy” Buriak, on August 31, 2021, in LOOSEFOOT 616 off the coast of San Diego, along with four other crew members, our life has been touched with special memories and by people who have gone above and beyond to show up for Caulder and myself.

This morning a little boy got to meet Santa for the very first time and in his favorite way – flying in a helicopter, something my son not only loves, but truly admires and enjoys. He waved and shouted … “Mamma, it’s Santa and Daddy’s friends” … while he blew kisses.

Since losing Jimmy, our life has been dedicated to giving back, honoring his life, his legacy, his service, and the motto … “So Others May Live.” This even includes starting a non-profit in his name and continuing his legacy - The AWS1 James Buriak Foundation.

We are a volunteer foundation that provides pre-mishap education to commands, squadrons, and families of the Navy and Marine Corps, coast to coast, as well as postmishap support, should they experience a worst-case scenario.

Mission Summary:

This was truly a Santa Flight for the books and demonstrates the raw power of a kind act and the ripple effect it has on all of us!