By Mark Baylis/Staff Writer

Santa Maria Times

A Cabrillo High School graduate was among four airmen killed this week in a plane crash in Iraq, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.

Capt. Derek Argel, 28, of Lompoc died when an Iraqi air force aircraft crashed during a training mission in eastern Diyala province on Monday.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, according to the Special Operations spokesperson. An investigation can last from one to three months.

Argel was a 1995 graduate of Cabrillo who was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The Air Force's 12,000 special operations airmen are rarely mentioned publicly for their contributions in the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and the hunt for terrorists. Specific missions often are classified.

The 6-foot-6 Argel was a Cabrillo water polo star and continued his polo career at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He returned to Lompoc each year to participate in Cabrillo's annual alumni game.

Friends, coaches and educators remembered Argel as a warm-hearted and extremely motivated person who poured himself into his activities, whether it was water polo or the Air Force.

"To be special forces you have to have something in you above and beyond," said Dave Benchoff, former Cabrillo activities director.

Cabrillo activities director Bob Lawrence, whom Argel had said was like a second father, last saw the airman a few months ago when he stopped by with his wife and newborn son.

"Derek was the kind of young man who made everyone feel like he was your best friend," Lawrence said.

A memorial service will be held Friday in Florida, said Capt. Tom Knowles, a spokesman for the 16th Special Operations Wing. Funeral services have not been announced, though an Air Force family liaison said there would be a full military ceremony in Lompoc within a couple weeks. The date for that service will likely be announced Friday, the liaison said.

Argel is survived by his wife Wendy and 10-month-old son Logan; his mother, Debra Bastion of Lompoc; a brother, John; and his grandmother, Beth Mears.

Special Operations officials were unable to say when Argel was deployed. Friends said Argel could not tell them whether he was in Iraq or Afghanistan due to the secrecy surrounding special operations.

Friend David Riley, who spoke to Argel at Christmas, said that Argel was anxious to get to Iraq.

"He was upset he was not in the war," Riley said. "His life was always secondary to the United States of America."

Riley called Argel an infectious, goofy jokester who also was devoutly patriotic. When Riley asked him about people who spit on his uniform, Argel replied that he fought so people had the freedom to do that, Riley said.

The other men killed in the crash were: Maj. William Downs, 40, of Winchester, Va.; Capt. Jeremy Fresques, 26, of Clarkdale, Ariz.; and Staff Sgt. Casey Crate, 26, of Spanaway, Wash. An Iraqi air force pilot also was killed.

Staff writer John McReynolds and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mark Baylis can be reached at 736-2313, Ext. 105, or mbaylis@pulitzer.net.

June 2, 2005