Chief Warrant Officer Four Chris J. Scherkenbach died on 28 June 2005 in eastern Afghanistan when his MH-47D Chinook helicopter, #146, was shot down by an enemy rocket propelled grenade while flying in to rescue the members of a SEAL team during Operation RED WINGS.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, CW4 Scherkenbach was born on 3 November 1964 in Illinois. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army when he enlisted as a Communication Specialist in April 1987. His first duty station was Germany. He was accepted into the Warrant Officer Entry and Initial Entry Rotary Wing programs in 1990 and graduated at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

After completing the Warrant Officer Basic Course and the CH-47D Aircraft Qualification Courses at Fort Rucker in 1991, CW4 Scherkenbach was assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. In 1994, he was assigned to Camp Humphreys, Korea, as a CH-47D Chinook Pilot. After completing his tour in Korea, he returned to the 159th Aviation Regiment. His final assignment was Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

CW4 Scherkenbach was a graduate of the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, Aviation Safety Officer Course, Electronic Warfare Officer Course, Special Operations Training Course, and Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Course.

CW4 Scherkenbach's awards and decorations include the Air Medal (w/Numeral 4), Army Commendation Medal (w/3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (w/3 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), and the Senior Army Aviator Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with (w/"V" Device), Combat Action Badge, and the Master Army Aviator Badge.

CW4 Scherkenbach is survived by his wife, Michelle; his daughter, Sarah Grace; his brothers, Jeff, Craig, Jed, Kurt, and Lee; and his sisters, Karen and Cheryl. He is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery,

Section 60, Site 8200. Hangar #7902 at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, is dedicated in honor of the crew of Aircraft Tail #146 as Turbine 33 Hangar.