1/5/2012
Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on February 10, 1988 to Richard Bell and Donna Aldrich. He graduated from Harbor Creek High School and enlisted in the Air Force in 2007. After completion of Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base Texas, he completed Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD) at Eglin AFB, Florida in 2008. Senior Airman Bell was assigned to the EOD Flight at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. He deployed twice in his career, once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Senior Airman Bell deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan as part of the 466th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, Operating Location Delta. Operating in the Helmand Province, he helped his Air Force team to clear lines of communication, enable freedom of maneuver, and ensure coalition and local national safety by engaging and defeating the enemy’s weapon of choice, the Improvised Explosive Device
Airman Bell’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal.
Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell is survived by his wife Alaina, his sister SrA Candice Bell, his step-father David Aldrich, his step-mother Kim Bell, his step-sister Stephanie Battista, his step-brother Matthew Aldrich, maternal grandparents Ross and Gertrude Peters, paternal grandmother Carmen Bell, his mother and father-in-law Mike and Brenda Hart, his sister and brother-in-law Mariel and Patrick Wilcox, his parents Richard Bell and Donna Aldrich, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.