On Friday September 3rd, 19 year old Eagle Scout Justin Wotasik was 
killed along with 11 others in 2 HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters that 
crashed in the side of a mountain.
      This Artical was in the Antlope Valley Press on Sunday September
5th on the front page:

Palmdale man perishes in Nellis crash

                    This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press September 6, 1998.

                    By FRAN PAOLINELLI
                    Valley Press Staff Writer

                    PALMDALE - A 19-year-old Palmdale High School graduate and Eagle Scout was
                    named Saturday as one of the dozen service members killed early Friday in the
                    crash of two helicopters near Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

                    Airman 1st Class Justin Wotasik, a para-rescue specialist, was reported aboard one
                    of the two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters that crashed during a practice mission
                    over rugged terrain near the highly secret Test Area 51 in Nevada.

                    Wotasik, a native of Irvine, lived with his family in the Antelope Valley for the past
                    12 years, said his mother, Julie Wotasik.

                    The airman was a 1996 Palmdale High School graduate and participated in the
                    school's varsity swim team. He was also an Eagle Scout in Troop 444, and
                    attended the 1993 National Scout Jamboree in Virginia.

                    Justin would have turned 20 next month.

                    His parents were planning a visit with him when they received the news of his
                    death. "I was shopping for his birthday gift yesterday," Julie said.

                    "We were going up there today for our wedding anniversary," Julie said Saturday
                    afternoon.

                    Instead, Julie and her husband Gary will travel to Nellis AFB for a memorial
                    service for her son and the 11 others who died in the crash.

                    "Justin's roommate, Jessie Stewart, was also killed," Julie said.

                    Because the crash was one of the worst in the Air Force base's history, it will take
                    days before all the bodies are recovered, Julie said.

                    After the recovery work is completed, the bodies must be sent to Delaware for
                    proper identification. The Air Force will then send sealed caskets to the aircrews'
                    families.

                    Members of the Wotasik's church, First Presbyterian, have scheduled a memorial
                    service in Palmdale for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

                    "Justin grew up here and so many people knew Justin and it could take a long time
                    before the casket arrives. We didn't want to wait to hold a memorial service," Julie
                    said. 

                    Justin joined the Air Force when he was 17 and was assigned to Nellis AFB in
                    January. 

                    "He loved his job," Julie said.

                    Justin served in the 66th Rescue Squadron, an elite unit whose motto is: "These
                    things we do so that others may live."

                    Members are trained to slip their helicopters into hostile territory, flying low under
                    radar in all weather conditions to rescue downed or stranded military comrades and
                    bring them home alive.

                    It was on a practice flight for just that kind of mission that Justin lost his own life,
                    the family said Saturday.

                    Justin is survived by an older sister and brother-in-law, Jessica, 20, and Jeremy
                    Ushton; a 16month-old nephew, Kelvin; a 15year-old sister, Julianne, a 1997 PHS
                    graduate; a 13-year-old brother, Jared; and grandparents William and Louise Norris
                    of Palmdale, and Don and Jeanne Wotasik, of Los Alamitos.

                    He is also survived by numerous aunt, uncles, cousins and friends. The memorial
                    is scheduled at First Presbyterian Church, 1850 East Ave. R.
             From : http://www.avpress.com

Justin was one of the 13 charter member in Boy Scout Troop 444 and the
first in the troop to recieve his Eagle Scout Award.

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