Date: 8/8/2004
Rank: Special Agent
Branch: Air Force
Operation: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Special Agent (SA) Rick A. Ulbright graduated from Borah High School, Boise, Idaho, in May 1973. He attended Boise State University from September 1974 until May 1977 and enlisted in the Air Force in August 1977.
Ulbright began his Air Force career as a small helicopter maintenance technician at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. In June 1982, Ulbright was assigned to Detachment 3, Aerospace and Recovery Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. While serving at Grand Forks, Ulbright completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
Ulbright joined the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) in August 1986 and became a certified polygraph examiner in November 1992. He retired from active duty in July 1998 and returned to AFOSI as a civilian special agent in August 1998. SA Ulbright was assigned as a polygraph examiner at the 33rd Field Investigations Squadron, Andrews AFB, Maryland, where he conducted examinations supporting various military and federal investigative organizations.
In 2004, SA Ulbright volunteered for a tour of duty with AFOSI’s 24th Expeditionary Field Investigations Squadron (EFIS), Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. This assignment required travel through high-threat areas in Iraq to conduct polygraph examinations for criminal investigations and force protection issues in support of the 24th EFIS and the Coalition Provisional Authority.
On 8 August 2004, Ulbright was wounded in a rocket attack while conducting polygraph examinations at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, and later died from his injuries. SA Ulbright was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award, and the Defense of Freedom medal.