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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Retired 914th Airman among the victims of Continental Flight 3407

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Peter Borys
  • 914th Airlift Wing
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  A retired Air Force Reservist from the 914th Airlift Wing was among the 44 passengers who perished in the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407 near Buffalo, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2009.

Chief Master Sergeant John Fiore was assigned to the 30th Aerial Port Squadron as the Air Transportation Manager before retiring recently.

Colonel Reinhard Schmidt, commander of the 914th Airlift Wing, expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Chief Fiore.

"The 914th Airlift Wing shares in the pain and deep sense of sorrow felt by Chief Fiore's friends and family," said Colonel Schmidt. "We have lost someone who was very dear to us. It's a shocking blow and one that affects all of our members. He will be sorely missed."

Chief Fiore was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and Operations Enduring & Iraqi Freedom. Fiore had a total of 34 years of military service and 32 years as a traditional reservist with the 914th. A resident of Grand Island, N.Y. Fiore retired from the unit in September of 2006.

The commander also issued a message for those other families who were personally affected by the crash of Flight 3407.

"On behalf of the men and women of the 914th, we extend our heartfelt prayers to the relatives of all 50 people whose lives were lost," said the colonel. "Their untimely passing as a result of this accident has left us all with a heavy heart."