FORREST B. SIBLEY
August 26, 2015
Name:
SSgt Forrest B. Sibley
Hometown:
Pensacola, Florida
DOB:
October 21, 1983
DOP:
August 26, 2015
Entered Service:
November 2008
Deployments:
Staff Sergeant Sibley deployed four times, three to Afghanistan and once to Africa.
Units:
Upon graduation in 2010, Staff Sergeant Sibley was assigned to the 23 STS. Later, he was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24 STS) before arriving at the 21 STS.
Education:
Air Force Basic Training, the Combat Control School at Pope Army Airfield, Combat Dive School, Airborne, Military Freefall School and was a Joint Terminal Attack Controller.
Awards & Decorations:
Staff Sergeant Sibley’s military awards included a Bronze Star with Valor, three Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Air Force Combat Action Medal.
Survived By:
Forrest is survived by his loving parents, Brent Sibley and Suzi Fernandez, his sister Jordan Sibley, his brother Spenser Fernandez, step-brother Justin Fernandez, grandparents Raiford and Betty Jo Sibley, grandmother Rita Riffel, aunts Lori Lanier, Amy Schnupp, uncles Bryan (Buzz) Sibley, Dale Sibley, SGM Kurt Schnupp, (Ret.), Eric Schnupp and Hannah Grace Broz, Forrest’s love and confidant. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, retired Army Colonel Regis Schnupp.
Honoree Bio:
On August 26, 2015, Staff Sergeant Forrest B. Sibley, a combat controller (CCT) assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron (21 STS), was wounded and killed in action (KIA) while attempting to pass through an Afghan Commando controlled security checkpoint that was located between Camp Bastion and Camp Antonik.
The unfortunate events of that day unfolded as a convoy was returning to Camp Antonik, with both Captain Roland and Staff Sergeant Sibley occupying the lead vehicle. Upon arriving at the checkpoint, the Afghan interpreter got out of the lead vehicle and briefly met with the Afghan Commando guards to provide the password for the day. As the interpreter made his way back to the vehicle, one of the Afghan Commando guards raised his weapon. Simultaneously, Captain Roland, who was the driver, threw the vehicle in reverse and notified everyone on the radio of an insider attack. This was followed by the Afghan Commando guard firing into the vehicle, whereby both Captain Roland and Staff Sergeant Sibley were killed.
Staff Sergeant Sibley was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1983.
He entered active duty in November 2008 and upon completion of basic training entered the two-year training pipeline to become a CCT. Upon graduation in 2010, Staff Sergeant Sibley was assigned to the 23 STS. Later, he was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24 STS) before arriving at the 21 STS. Staff Sergeant Sibley deployed four times, three to Afghanistan and once to Africa.
