Senior Airman Donald Herman Heitkamp, United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government

Senior Airman Donald Herman Heitkamp

United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government

End of Watch Thursday, May 29, 1986

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Donald Herman Heitkamp

Senior Airman Donald Heitkamp, Airman First Class Barry Holmes, Staff Sergeant Charles Huskey, and their two pilots were killed when their UH-1 helicopter crashed shortly after 3:00 pm, near Bear Butte State Park, South Dakota.

They were providing security for a missile maintenance movement for a convoy from Ellsworth AFB to Opal when the accident occurred. An additional Security Policeman who was participating in the security of the convoy was the only sole survivor of the crash.

Senior Airman Heitkamp served with the United States Air Force Security Forces for less than three and a half years and was assigned to the 45th Missle Security Squadron.

Bio

Age 23
Tour 3 years, 4 months
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Aircraft accident
Location South Dakota

Convoy, aircraft accident

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Most Recent Reflection

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Yesterday was Memorial Day--26 May 2025. I remembered and reflected on Donny Heitkamp, my friend, my roommate, my fellow Security Policeman assigned to the 45th MSS. Me, Donny and several other SPs lived together in house we rented in downtown Rapid City. Donny was a crazy Cowboy fan and I was a Redskins fan, man we have some fun Sunday/Monday night football games. I had PCSed to Wueschheim, GE before the accident, but I heard the news through the SP community. Donny was an awesome friend and roommate even though he drank cheap beer and added saltine crackers to our hamburger helper dish to make more to feed more. I had heard rumors that Donny was somehow instrumental in saving A1C Latania D. Huguley, but only her knows the truth, but if true, which I can believe because he was that kind of guy. I truly miss him.

Retired SMSgt Jerome D. (JD) Headrick
Roommate, Friend, Fellow SP, and Airman

May 27, 2025