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In memory - Master Sgt. Robert J. Barajas (Oct. 27 1954 - Jan. 10, 2011)

  • Published
  • By Major Jennifer Howsare
  • 126th Air Refueling Wing
Scott AFB, Ill. --  The 126th Air Refueling Wing recently lost a dedicated and beloved member on Jan. 10, 2011 when Master Sgt. Robert "Bob" Barajas passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

Sergeant Barajas initially joined the USAF Reserves on Mar. 31, 1976 and quickly transitioned to the Active Duty Air Force from Sept. 1976 - Aug. 1978. Sergeant Barajas joined the 126 ARW on Sept. 1, 1978 and spent the remainder of his career with the Wing. He worked in the life support duty section throughout his entire career and had experience with RF-4 aircraft, ejection seats, G-suits, survival kits, survival vests, aircrew chemical defense equipment, life rafts, helmets, oxygen masks, life preservers, and nuclear flash blindness devices. He was a skilled life support technician and he loved to conduct aircrew training and keep aircrew members up-to-date with all aspects of life support for their flying duties or emergency circumstances.

Sergeant Barajas was also a master seamster who could read blueprints and manufacture equipment. He made all of the bags for the 108th Air Refueling Squadron to store quick-don oxygen masks, aircraft flashlights, life preservers and thermal curtains. Sergeant Barajas also worked many additional hours sewing desert flight suits and jackets prior to deployments but routinely sewed rank, name tapes, and patches for members around the 126th.

Sergeant Barajas was preceded in death by parents Secundino and Mary (nee Lopez) Barajas, and a brother, Thomas Barajas. He is survived by his loving wife, Joette (nee Nikiel) Barajas; daughters Erica and Nicole Barajas; sisters Sylvia, Regina, and Cynthia Barajas; Rosemarie (John) Styx; and brother, Ralph (Linda) Barajas.

Memorials for Sergeant Barajas may be made to Fischer House at Jefferson Barracks or the American Cancer Society.