Nellis says goodbye to one of its own

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999 | 10:11 a.m.

Services

2 p.m. Saturday at the Upland Bible Church, 920 Upland Blvd., Las Vegas.

Graveside services with military honors will follow at Palm Memorial Park, 6701 N. Jones Blvd.

The family requests gifts be given to the Rescue Living Memorial Fund at the Armed Forces Bank, account number 8760608.

With those who knew him best, Capt. Michael D. Geragosian started off most conversations with the following preamble: "What do you think about this?"

The question he posed to many officers at Nellis Air Force Base became a trademark for the captain, who made others stop and think, Lt. Col. Travis Chevallier said at a memorial service Tuesday to honor the helicopter pilot known as "G-9."

Geragosian, 31, was one of three U.S. airmen killed Friday when their Air Force plane made an emergency landing without landing gear at Kuwait International Airport.

Nellis personnel, friends and family lined the small chapel during the emotional ceremony, stopping to gaze at two large pictures that adorned the altar: one family photo of Geragosian with his wife, Dana, 2-year-old son Luke and 1-year-old son Zachary, and a single photo showcasing his captivating smile. Nearby rested a helmet, similar to the one Geragosian wore while flying a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.

Geragosian had been stationed at Nellis for the past three years as a member of the 66th Rescue Squadron and was a fully qualified Pave Hawk pilot and evaluator in the squadron. He approached the Kuwait trip last Wednesday as he would any other mission -- with pride and with a sense of risk, friends said.

"Mike was ready to sacrifice if need be, to help protect and serve," his pastor, Dick Olsen of Upland Bible Church, said. "He valued his heritage of freedom and stood for all those values that make the United States great."

Geragosian was born in Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 12, 1968. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, he was commissioned into the Air Force.

His experience as a helicopter pilot took him to a variety of countries, including his first assignment at the 56th Air Rescue Squadron in Keflavik, Iceland. There he saved three lives, one during an intense over-water mission to pick up a stranded Icelandic fisherman.

"If it wasn't for him, those people would not be alive," Lt. Col. Joseph Callahan III, 66th Rescue Squadron commander, said.

Those who spoke at the memorial said Geragosian will be remembered for his strong will, his leadership as a pilot and his desire to make a difference. In addition to his flying and training duties, Geragosian tested equipment and wrote manuals for equipment and tactics used by the Air Force, Callahan said.

"Mike will give you an argument -- not combative, but if he has his facts together and believes strongly in something, he will challenge you on your decision," Callahan said. "He was never afraid, he would never back down when asked a question."

Geragosian was awarded a number of medals in his almost 10 years of service in the Air Force, including an Air Medal for his actions following the downing of two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in Turkey, and Outstanding HH-60 Graduate at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

Chevallier recalled during the service one of his fondest memories -- flying with Geragosian during numerous training exercises.

"He was easy to understand, especially for a guy who can make the airplane dance," he said. "Mike was a superstar. They don't get any better than that."

Stopping to ponder why Geragosian had been taken at such a young age, he said fondly: "Why? I don't know. Maybe God enjoys a spirited argument."

Geragosian is also survived by his mother, Bernice; his sister, Carolynn, and his brother, Paul.