Edwards AFB News

Team Edwards celebrates TPS pilot's life

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Edwards celebrated the life of a U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School student during a memorial service at hangar 1207 May 28. 

Maj. Mark "Dash" Graziano, TPS Class 09-A student, died May 21 when his T-38 Talon crashed nine miles north of Edwards in the Mojave Desert during a student-test mission. 

During the service, then-Captain Graziano was promoted posthumously to the rank of major effective Dec. 12, 2008 by Col. William Thornton, 412th Test Wing commander. 

"Mark Graziano was a remarkable man," said Col. Terry Luallen, TPS commandant. "Mark was passionate about life, passionate about flight. His passion for flight was obvious." 

Major Graziano was born Oct. 2, 1978, in New York. He received his commission as a distinguished graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2000 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He began his Air Force flying career at Laughlin Air Force Base with undergraduate pilot training. 

From 2001 to 2006, Captain Graziano flew KC-135 Stratotankers while assigned to the 911th Air Refueling Squadron, Grand Forks, N.D. From 2007 to 2008, he served as a U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft commander, squadron training officer, U-2 instructor pilot and T-38 instructor pilot at the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. 

In January 2009, he began the Experimental Test Pilot Course at the TPS as part of Class 09A. 

"He was definitely a pilot's pilot," said Colonel Luallen. "He lived life to the fullest everyday and touched many lives with his good nature and positive attitude." 

According to Capt. Ryan Howland, TPS 09A student, Major Graziano was an "amazing guy." He recounted stories about Major Graziano and how they met at the USAF Academy, and that Major Graziano wanted to be a "Renaissance Man" and his love for flying. 

"Dash has some very unique characteristics," Captain Howland said. "He had the most amazing burning passion I have seen in a human being. For everything he did, and the way he showed his love for everybody, there was something about Dash that made people draw to him to know who he was." 

Maj. Keith Broecker, U-2 pilot from Beale AFB and Major Graziano's friend, told stories about his experiences with his fellow pilot. 

"I will, for the rest of my life, remember Dash as the most brilliant human being I will ever know," Major Broecker said. "Graz isn't really gone. We have all the stories and all the memories and we are going to miss him terribly. He is with us today and he is glad that we are here. We love you and we'll miss you." 

Colonel Thornton said it was an incredibly sad day at Edwards as people came to mourn the loss of life of someone, so soon after the base's last tragedy. 

"Mark gave his life for his country," Colonel Thornton said. "Today, we honor that sacrifice and his life. Mark Graziano was a great person, a patriot and an outstanding officer. The deep wounds and the hurt we feel will heal over time so we will never forget. Let's console each other and help each other. We will move forward. That's who we are and that's what we do here."