CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The four North Carolina guardsmen killed when their plane crashed while fighting a wildfire were remembered Tuesday as dedicated airmen who gave their lives doing what they wanted to do: Helping people.

Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal, 42, of Mooresville; Maj. Joseph M. McCormick, 36, of Belmont; Maj. Ryan S. David, 35, of Boone; and Senior Master Sgt. Robert S. Cannon, 50, of Charlotte died July 1 when their C-130 crashed while fighting a wildfire in the South Dakota Black Hills. Two crewmen were injured.

Only the airmen’s families, invited guests and members of the 145th Airlift Wing were allowed to attend the private service at the unit’s base in Charlotte. There was limited media access.

State officials also attended, including Gov. Bev Perdue, who called the men heroes and said they would be missed by their families, friends and neighbors.

She recalled how it was just over a week ago that the airmen said goodbye to their families before heading on the mission.

“These proud, proud airmen all knew — they really did know and understand as did their families — the risk and reward. Time after time after time, they strapped themselves in that seat for their next mission to protect people they didn’t know or would never know in places far from our homes,” she said.

The military was investigating the crash and didn’t know how long it would take to complete the probe.

The unit sent three C-130s and 36 men on the firefighting assignment but cut the mission short.

The 145th Air Wing was pressed into service due to wildfires that have burned thousands of acres and destroyed hundreds of homes in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota.

The pilots and crew in the crash had extensive experience.

A C-130 pilot evaluator, Mikeal had more than 20 years of service. He came to the 145 Airlift Wing in 2001 and leaves behind a wife and two children. His family said he had a passion for flying.

McCormick was an accomplished instructor pilot who joined the wing in 2005 and is survived by a wife and four children.

David was an experienced navigator who joined the North Carolina Air National Guard last year after leaving the Air Force and had a wife and one child.

Cannon was the most experienced. The flight engineer had served 29 years with the unit. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

Friends of the airmen — some fighting back tears — spoke to the crowd at the memorial service.

Lt. Col. Jim Pearson said Mikeal was his mentor: “What can I say about Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal? He exuded excellence in everything he did as an aviator, friend and family man. I had the pleasure of seeing Paul excel in all three areas. He inspired me to be a better family man.”

Maj. James Bodolosky said McCormick was his best friend.

“As we walked through life together, Joe and I encouraged and strengthened each other. And as it says in Proverbs 27:17: ‘As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.’ That was my relationship with Joe McCormick. He was always sharpening me and I was always sharpening him. And I will miss him dearly.”

Maj. Toshio Sameshima recalled David’s smile and laugh.

“What made him so exceptional was his character. … Ryan had a spirit that made everything around him glow brighter. I don’t care how bad a day it was, how terrible a situation it was … you could always count on Ryan for a smile and a laugh,” he said

Members of the Patriot Guard stand outside before a memorial service in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, July 10, 2012 for four North Carolina Air National Guard airmen killed when their plane crashed while fighting a wildfire. Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal, Maj. Joseph McCormick, Maj. Ryan David and Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cannon all died July 1 when their C-130 crashed while fighting a wildfire in the South Dakota Black Hills. Two crewmen were injured. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) Photo by STF

Chuck Burton