Gov. Brown orders flags to half-staff for fallen airman

Governor Kate Brown on Friday ordered all flags at public institutions to be flown Saturday at half-staff in honor of Umatilla native, Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren. Flags should be lowered from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, the day of his memorial service.

“Staff Sgt. Bieren represents the best of Oregon, and I ask all Oregonians to keep his family and friends in their thoughts,” said Governor Brown. “Bieren’s legacy of service and sacrifice is a reminder of the risks our military members take daily to preserve peace and protect the United States.”

Staff Sgt. Bieren, 25, of Umatilla, died March 28 in a non-combat incident while supporting operations in northern Syria. Enlisted since 2010, Bieren was assigned to 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.