Fallen Airman's family mourns

Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett, 29, died near Kandahar Air Field, the Department of Defense said. A 1998 graduate of East Wake High School, he was assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron at Aviano Air Base in Italy.

Ginett worked in explosive ordinance disposal and was a master sniper.

Ginett's parents said that they learned of his death Tuesday after three men came to their front door.

“There was a captain, a lieutenant and a chaplain. And once I saw them, I knew,” said Christina Kazakavage, Ginett's mother.

Christina Kazakavage said Saturday that she takes comfort knowing her son died doing what he loved.

“He understood what he was supposed to do,” Christina Kazakavage said.

“He’s over there saving lives,” said James Kazakavage, Ginett's father.

Ginett lived in Knightdale before joining the Air Force at age 18, according to his obituary. He served three tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan.

Ginett earned the Bronze Star on his first tour in Afghanistan. He and six others in his unit came under fire from 28 members of the Taliban. They killed 13 insurgents and captured the others, according to his parents. His unit was unharmed.

“He said, 'I wasn't supposed to take a life, that was not my mission. I’m supposed to save lives by getting rid of the explosives,'” Christina Kazakavage recalled from a conversation with her son.

Ginett held two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree in criminal justice and political science, according to the obituary.

At the time of his death, he lived with his parents and sister, Sarah Kazakavage, in Coats.

A transfer ceremony for Ginett is planned for Monday at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. His funeral is set for Friday.