Temujin Koon Lee Ching

Temujin was a self declared “military brat” and his father’s piloting duties took the Ching family from Mississippi to England, Germany, Japan, and Arizona. After Temujin’s father retired from military service, the family moved to Alaska. Temujin enlisted in the Air Force on December 10, 2002. He was stationed at Nellis AFB where he was a crew chief on the F-16 Fighting Falcon. After his enlistment ended, he joined the Air Force reserves where he was a crew chief on the F-22 Raptor. He then joined the Alaska Air Guard in December of 2018. In the Guard he started off as a C-130H loadmaster, then was encouraged to train for flight engineer and fulfilled that role till the Guard’s retirement of the C-130H model. He then transferred to his beloved 210th rescue squadron and trained as an aerial gunner on the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter. Temujin enjoyed all his roles in the Air Force, but the mission of the 210th was dear to his heart. Their rescue motto of “that others may live” resonated with Temujin. He strived his hardest to embody that motto and had numerous successful missions and saves under his belt. He was extremely proud of the 210th rescue squadron and was honored to be part of it. Temujin deployed 5 times while in the Guard to Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia. He played a vital role in numerous missions while deployed and helped many fellow airman and soldiers return home safely.

Temujin was a fun loving, friendly, out going and sensitive soul. He was always willing to exchange in witty banter, jesting of coworkers and keeping morale up. He was a man of numerous passions and hobbies. Many cold Alaskan winter days and nights were spent playing one of his complicated board games with his wife and friends. He enjoyed building Transformers models with his son and then introducing the original cartoon with his children. Temujin was always seeking ways to improve and better himself. Working on his “gains” at the gym, taking flying lessons to earn his private pilots license, learning Mandarin, studying ancient Egyptian mythology or reading up on history; Temujin excelled at what he put his mind to. He was always willing to help a friend anytime they asked. He was amazing at keeping in contact with prior coworkers and classmates and finding time to visit them.

Temujin left behind his wife Jenny, as he affectionately called her, and their children Marcus, Ayla and Alexus. He is survived by his brother Lee Bellarmino and wife Jill and younger “bro bro” Tai Ching. Temujin was preceded in death by his brother Loren, Mother Cherie and Father Larry Ching.