With hundreds of mourners in attendance and others watching remotely, Senior Airman Cedric Eneluna’s life and service were remembered Friday during a memorial service at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Eneluna, 23, died July 16 after the heavy equipment he operated rolled down an embankment at Vandenberg, military officials said.

He was posthumously promoted one rank, from senior airman to airman first class, Vandenberg officials added. 

The memorial service Friday afternoon occurred in the Vandenberg chapel with his family, colleagues and community members among approximately 500 people in attendance at the main location and two remote sites on base. A livestream also was available for those unable to travel to the Central Coast.

“Senior Airman Eneluna served with professionalism, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates and the mission. He earned respect and admiration of those around him through his positive attitude, tireless work ethic and willingness to help others,” the memorial’s program stated.

Eneluna, who spent his childhood in the Philippines and called Fayetteville, North Carolina home, enlisted in the military on March 5, 2024. He arrived at Vandenberg, his first duty assignment, on Aug. 2, 2024. Officials initially listed his hometown as St. Louis, Missouri.

He belonged to the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Pavements and Equipment Flight, also known as “Dirt Boyz.” While not firefighters, the Dirt Boyz chore means they work with them to create fire breaks.

Officials did not say where on base the incident occurred or the purpose for the heavy equipment work that day.

Air Force heavy equipment operators perform various tasks, including building and repairing runways, paving roads, and handling concrete and asphalt operations.

At Vandenberg, the specialized heavy equipment operators also make up the unique fire dozer team.

The team members work to build fire breaks as a precaution, maintaining a 235-mile network of fire breaks and access roads across the 100,000-acre installation. The 8-foot-wide stretches cleared of dry brush and other vegetation can help stop a fire’s path.

Although they are not firefighters, they still sport fire-resistant uniforms, helmets and gloves while carrying a fire shelter designed to be deployed to protect individuals from smoke, heat and flames.

The Air Force is conducting an investigation into the incident that claimed the life of Eneluna.