Defense officials identify Air Force casualty Published Jan. 23, 2009 WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Department of Defense officials here announced Jan. 23 the name of an Airman who died supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom Jan. 17 in Iraq. Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight, 22, of Marrero, La., died as a result of a nonhostile incident at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page