Building dedicated to a fallen hero

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DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - --  The 25th Operational Weather Squadron building is being dedicated to Captain Nathan Nylander here at 9 a.m. Aug.1.

The dedication ceremony will be presided over by Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern commander.

Nylander was deployed to Afghanistan as an advisor and member of the NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Nylander was fatally wounded during an insider attack April 27, 2011.

When the gunman opened fire, Nylander evacuated the conference room he occupied with four other Airmen and eight Afghan personnel. He then proceeded out into the hall where he and another officer engaged and wounded the gunman. Believing the attacker was incapacitated, Nylander began assisting the wounded. When the gunman began firing again, the captain reengaged the attacker and was wounded in the ensuing battle. Ultimately, Nylander lost his life.

Nylander was awarded the Silver Star medal posthumously by Gen. Norton Schwartz, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff in September 2011.This was the Air Force's first posthumously awarded Silver Star since 9/11.

Nylander's family will be attending the building dedication ceremony.

Media wishing to cover the event should contact the 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 520-228-3202 or 355fw.pa@dm.af.mil by 12 p.m. Jul 30. Show time for media will be 7:45 a.m. at the Craycroft Gate on Aug 1.