05/23/2025
For all RSI Holdings Group LLC Leaders,
As we enter this Memorial Day weekend, please take some moments to reflect on the men and women who have lost their lives defending freedoms that are so often taken for granted. If you know someone that gave everything during their service, please take some time during this holiday to share their story and celebrate the life they gave.
Shell 77
Captain Mark Voss – Aircraft Commander
Captain Victoria Pickney - Copilot
Technical Sergeant Herman Mackey III – Boom Operator
On May 3, 2013, the crew of Shell 77 departed Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan on a combat mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Shortly after takeoff, a rudder power control malfunction induced a series of uncommanded flight control inputs known as “Rudder Hunt”. These system errors progressed into a dangerous and unstable flight condition known as “Dutch Roll” that overstressed the airframe, ripping the tail off of the aircraft. The tanker aircraft exploded in flight, and the crew was lost.
These were my friends, my brothers and sister in arms. I remember listening to their last moments from the flight data recorder (black box), and as they were troubleshooting the malfunction, I heard them using the exact phrases I had used so many times myself to describe the flight characteristics of a 60-year-old airframe. Their sacrifice inspired systematic changes that has prevented countless other tragedies. I cherish their memory, and I am honored that I had the privilege to serve alongside them. To this day, I owe my own life to the changes bought with their sacrifice.
As we celebrate the lives of our fallen heroes this coming Monday, raise your glasses, tell their stories, and honor their memory. Cheers my friends!
I hope every has a safe and fantastic weekend!
V/r,
Kevin Badinski
Chief Operations Officer
RSI Holdings Group LLC
800 E Cotton
Longview, TX 75602
903.686.1549 Office
