My name is Mary Barnette. My father was Lt. Col Ben Barnette, navigator of the C-130 that was lost outside of Incirlik AFB, Turkey on March 14, 1980. We were told that it was a lightening strike that took down the plane. We had just moved from Incirlik AFB the summer before to Abilene. I remember there being alot of military unrest in Adana. We lived on the main street of Adana and the brick wall around our apartment complex had been dynamited leaving a large hole in it before we left. There were several military parades on the street with tanks around that time. I would not be surprised if the real story was a missile attack. I hope it was lightening. That is easier to swallow. I just wanted to say that I am forever grateful to all of you who worked in the mud protecting and identifying our loved ones remains. I have visited the memorial at Dyess AFB. It is very nice. Thank you to those of you who created that to honor our fallen. I am told that there is also a memorial plaque at Incirlik that the crews salute every time they enter the building. I am so honored to know that you still take the time to remember my father and his crew. Thank you to all of you who have served. God Bless.
Dyess 130 crash in Turkey circa 1980
in C-130 Historical
Posted
My name is Mary Barnette. My father was Lt. Col Ben Barnette, navigator of the C-130 that was lost outside of Incirlik AFB, Turkey on March 14, 1980. We were told that it was a lightening strike that took down the plane. We had just moved from Incirlik AFB the summer before to Abilene. I remember there being alot of military unrest in Adana. We lived on the main street of Adana and the brick wall around our apartment complex had been dynamited leaving a large hole in it before we left. There were several military parades on the street with tanks around that time. I would not be surprised if the real story was a missile attack. I hope it was lightening. That is easier to swallow. I just wanted to say that I am forever grateful to all of you who worked in the mud protecting and identifying our loved ones remains. I have visited the memorial at Dyess AFB. It is very nice. Thank you to those of you who created that to honor our fallen. I am told that there is also a memorial plaque at Incirlik that the crews salute every time they enter the building. I am so honored to know that you still take the time to remember my father and his crew. Thank you to all of you who have served. God Bless.