EOD facility at Hickam named in honor of fallen Airman

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Robert Burgess
  • 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) --  The 15th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal facility was dedicated in memory of a fallen Airman before family, friends and other military servicemembers June 7 at Hickam Air Force Base.

Senior Airmen William Newman was 23 and on his 98th combat mission when a projectile he was recovering detonated during a clearing operation, mortally wounding him June 7, 2007, near the village of Mishan, Iraq. 

"Will is a hero to all of us, not just for his sacrifice, but also for the lives he saved, performing explosive ordnance disposal at home and abroad," said Col. David Maharrey Jr., the 15th CES commander. "His service in the Air Force demonstrated the pride, professionalism and performance that we all strive for."

"We were due to rotate back in a couple of weeks when I got the news," said Senior Airman Michael Perkins of the15th CES EOD Flight.

Airman Perkins was deployed to a forward operation base near Airman Newman. They were friends since technical school and Airman Perkins was in his bunk when the team chief walked into the three-man room and said Airmen Newman's name. 

"I didn't hear him say his name at first, then it dawned on me. It was a shock," he said.

Even today, Airman Perkins said he can't believe it actually happened. Having been assigned to Balad Air Base, Iraq, together for the first three months of his six-month deployment together, Airman Perkins said he remembers the good times. 

"You never know what is going to happen on a mission. You do your best to be ready," Airman Perkins said. 

Two days prior to his death, Airman Newman's team took direct small-arms fire from anti-Iraqi forces. The complexity of the situation was compounded by the location of the explosive devices near innocent Iraqi children and their homes.

After the initiating components were removed from the devices, Airman Newman proceeded to recover the remaining projectiles in order to detonate them in a controlled environment later and protect the local populace.

"I'm so proud. I'm sure there were a lot of children around; I know he wanted to protect them," said Airman Newman's wife, Soyong. 

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