Novi To Honor Airman Becker With Memorial

NOVI, MI — The city of Novi will honor U.S. Air Force Maj. Andrew Becker, who died earlier this year while on a training flight in New Mexico. A memorial will be unveiled on Sept. 16 at the Novi Civic Center starting at 9:30 a.m.

“Our community will never forget the selfless sacrifice made by Maj. Becker to protect our freedoms,” said Mayor Bob Gatt. “This memorial is just a small token of our appreciation, and will serve as a remembrance of not just him, but all those who have proudly served our nation.”

Becker, a Novi High graduate, was one of three airmen killed in the training exercise in March at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, the El Paso Times reported. He was a pilot in the 318th Special Operations Squadron at the base.

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In his almost seven years as a special operations pilot, Becker was deployed nine times to fly combat missions in Afghanistan, and Iraq, among others. He flew 459 combat missions, logging 2,260 combat hours, and rose in rank from 2nd lieutenant to lieutenant to captain, as well as being promoted to command pilot, to mission pilot and to mission commander.

During his time in the Air Force, Becker received 22 Air Force service medals, including a Meritorious Service medal. Members of the Becker family, friends, local and state dignitaries and some of Maj. Becker’s brothers in the Air Force are expected to attend the ceremony.

Photo courtesy of the city of Novi