Final remains laid to rest of Bend fallen airman

Air Force First Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend died in a plane crash in Djibouti, Africa on Feb. 18, 2012.

A funeral for Wilkens was held in Bend on March 24th followed by his burial at Pilot Butte Cemetery.

During the investigation of the crash site in Africa, additional remains of Wilkens and the three other airman killed in the crash were recovered, family members said Friday

These remains were buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday. Wilkens’ parents and siblings attended the Arlington ceremony.

Wilkens was on his third deployment following his graduation from the Air Force Academy in 2009 and subsequent assignment to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

The 34th SOS is part of the U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing which focuses on counter-terrorism and combat search and rescue.