#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Dylan Elchin

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Dylan Elchin. Dylan served during the War in Afghanistan.

At the age of 14, Dylan began training himself in preparation for his lifelong dream of becoming an airman. After graduating Hopewell Area High School in 2012, Dylan immediately enlisted with the Air Force as a special tactics combat controller. He then completed the two-year intensive training program, where he earned qualifications as a military static line jumper, free fall jumper, combat scuba diver and joint terminal attack controller. Dylan also became a distinguished graduate of the Airman Leadership School.

After completing his training, Dylan was assigned to the 26^th Special Tactics Squadron, 720^th Special Tactics Group, 24^th Special Operations Wing stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

From New Mexico, Dylan was attached to a U.S. Army Special Operations Force Operational Detachment-Alpha team and was deployed to Afghanistan. As a special tactics combat controller, Dylan was available for immediate deployment into combat and carried out a number of tasks, such as directing fire support and destroying enemy targets in advance of offensive operations.

While participating in a joint operation with Afghan forces in Ghazni Provence, Dylan and two other service members were killed in an IED attack on November 27, 2018.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.