Airman First Class Barry Philip Holmes, United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government

Airman First Class Barry Philip Holmes

United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government

End of Watch Thursday, May 29, 1986

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Barry Philip Holmes

Airman First Class Barry Holmes, Senior Airman Donald Heitkamp, Staff Sergeant Charles Huskey, and their two pilots were killed when their UH-1 helicopter crashed shortly after 3:00 pm, near Bear Butte State Park, South Dakota.

They were providing security for a missile maintenance movement for a convoy from Ellsworth AFB to Opal when the accident occurred. An additional Security Policeman who was participating in the security of the convoy was the only sole survivor of the crash.

Airman Holmes served with the United States Air Force Security Forces for more than two years and was assigned to the 45th Missle Security Squadron.

Bio

Age 21
Tour 2 years, 3 months
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Aircraft accident
Location South Dakota

aircraft accident, Convoy

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I was the on duty A.R.T leader for Delta Minute Man Missle flight on this day in 1986, when told to respond to a helio crash near Bear Butte (a few miles outside Sturgis SD). My partner and I relieved a State Trooper to control access of a dirt road off of Rt. 79 within sight of Bear Butte. It wasn't till a few days later that I got the news that my very new but, good friend Berry Holmes, also from south Florida was in the helicopter that was just down the dirt road that I was controlling access to. Berry was 45th missiles, and I was 44th... so our schedules made it hard to hangout with, and get to know my new compadre better but, he was always super upbeat and positive when we did. Thank you to whomever created this forum, and Godspeed to my Security Police/South Fla. friend, and the other airmen that perished in the line of duty on that day in 1986.

Sgt. Richard S Beardsworth Jr
44th Minute Man Missle Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota

May 24, 2025