Name: Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Brian K. Joplin Age: 32 From: Hugo, Okla. Assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, Corpus Christi, Texas Incident: Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Brian K. Joplin was killed Oct. 4, when he fell out of a U.S. Navy MH-53 helicopter during a regularly scheduled training mission in the Central Arabian Gulf.
Died:
October
04, 2005 Oklahoma soldier killed during OIF training mission
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma sailor died during a training operation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Central Arabian Gulf, the Department of Defense said.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian K. Joplin, 32, was involved in a mission aboard a Navy MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter when he fell, officials said late Wednesday.
“Brian was a very private person, but he was a very loving person,” said his aunt, Gin Young of Hugo.
Joplin was born and raised in Hugo, but most recently lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, Young said.
Young said she last saw Joplin at the funeral for his mother and sister, who recently died in an auto accident.
“I know he was very proud to be in the service,” Young said.
Joplin was assigned to the Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, which is based in Corpus Christi.
Prayers & Condolences For: Brian K. Joplin BY Anonymous on Nov 03, 2005
Brian was a dear friend to me, we could talk for hours about nothing at all or everything. I miss talking to him, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish there was something I could do to ease the pain but when you lose someone like Brian, the pain is too great. Brian would want us all to carry on and live life like he did...by the seat of our pants. To his family: I cannot put into words what he ment to me, I will say this, he saved my life. Because of him I am alive. To Belinda: I know how it feels to lose the man that you love, my husband died a year ago, it does not go away but life does go on. You have his girls, you will forever have him in your heart, he will be with you always. To his girls: Your dad was one of the greatest men I have ever known, you know what people thought of him all I ask is that you live like he did. When you follow the road your father took you will learn to walk like him. To my fellow Shipmates: Let's have a Dr. Pepper for our friend Joppy, and maybe a few jokes. GO SOONERS!!!!!! We beat Nabraska at least!