Airman dies while deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- An Airman died of natural causes Jan. 11, 2020, at McMurdo station, Antarctica. Staff Sgt. George Girtler was deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze and was serving as an Aircraft Electrical and Environmental specialist at McMurdo with the 139th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. “The sudden loss of SSgt Girtler has greatly impacted the McMurdo community and our Antarctic program partners” said Col. Jamielyn Thompson, Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica deputy commander. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”Girtler was a member of the 109th Airlift Wing, Schenectady, New York Air National Guard.“We are deeply saddened losing one of our own on the ice,” said Col. Christian Sander, 109th vice commander. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Gritler’s family and loved ones. We are grieving together as a wing and community.