Honoring Staff Sgt. Bieren’s memory

Airmen from the 21st Security Forces Squadron and the 4th Space Control Squadron perform the workout of the day in honor of Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., Sept. 28, 2017. The workout was inspired by Bieren’s workouts and is done to honor and commemorate his death which occurred on March 28, 2017, while deployed to Syria in support of Operation Inherent resolve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Kotecki)

Lt.Col. Chris Fernengel, 4th Space Control Squadron commander (left), and Capt. Brett Stephens, 4th SPCS engineering flight commander current operations, presented a plague during the weekly roll call for the 4th SPCS in Elbert, Colorado, Sept. 28, 2017. The plaque will hang in the 4th SPCS building so that future squadron members can honor and pay their respects to Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Steve Kotecki)

Honoring Staff Sgt. Bieren’s memory

Capt. Brett Stephens, 4th Space Control Squadron engineering flight commander current operations (left), and Lt.Col. Chris Fernengel, 4th SPCS commander, carry dumbbells during the workout of the day in honor of Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Sept. 28, 2017. The workout consisted of several exercises while carrying or lifting dumbbells over the course of 17 minutes to commemorate the year in which Bieren died. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Kotecki)

Published Oct. 3, 2017
By Steve Kotecki
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On a cold, rainy morning Airmen from the 21st Security Forces Squadron and the 4th Space Control Squadron, known as the “Warhawks,” gathered to honor the passing of Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren on the 6th month anniversary of his death by doing what Bieren loved, working out.

At the Capt. David Lyon Memorial Park, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Sept. 28, 2017, about 50 Airmen performed a workout of the day inspired by Bieren. The work out consisted of squats while holding a dumbbell, dumbbell raises and a 200 meter sprint while carrying the dumbbell.

During the workout the band Five Finger Death Punch was blaring on speakers to help motivate the participants. They were one of Bieren’s favorite bands to listen to while working out.

“It’s important to remember Austin going forward from his death, honoring his memory with this workout is about improving the Warhawk family, building relationships within the squadron and with other units on base,” said Capt. Brett Stephens, 4th SPCS engineering flight commander.

Later in the day, to commemorate the anniversary of Bieren’s passing the squadron unveiled a memorial plaque in his honor, with a majority of the squadron and Bieren’s wife, Rachel Bieren in attendance it was a somber moment but one in which his memory could be honored.

“The plaque will hang in the squadron building as a reminder to all those who see it the sacrifice that Staff Sgt. Bieren made,” said Lt.Col. Chris Fernengel, 4th SPCS commander.

“We’re going to remember him, not just today, but on the 28th of every month going forward.”