Their Story
Remembering Bryan R. Bell.
SrA Bryan R. Bell of Erie, Pennsylvania served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. He enlisted in the Air Force in 2006, graduated from the Naval Explosive Ordnance School in 2008, and became known at Barksdale as an exemplary Airman who lived the core values of integrity, service, and excellence.
His father remembered that Bryan chose EOD because he wanted to save people, not harm them, and described him as a gentle giant whose motto was to live today like there is no tomorrow. On January 5, 2012, SrA Bell died in Afghanistan from injuries sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
His legacy continues through the Bryan Bell Fitness Center and annual memorial run at Barksdale.