Little Rock Airman killed in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kati Garcia
  • 314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. (AFPN) --  Staff Sgt. John Self, a security forces specialist from the 314th Security Forces Squadron, was killed May 14 by a roadside bomb near Baghdad, Iraq.

Sergeant Self had been in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since September on a 365-day deployment.

"John volunteered for this deployment while he was deployed to (Southwest Asia)," said Chief Master Sgt. Keith Morris, 314th SFS security forces manager. "We discussed this deployment via e-mail. He said he made his decision to deploy again to gain experience."

According to reports, Sergeant Self was on patrol in Baghdad when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Self family as they grieve the tragic loss of this Airman warrior and son," said Maj. Allan Fiel, 314th SFS commander. "Any time we lose an Airman, the entire Air Force family suffers that loss."

Sergeant Self was always aware of the danger he faced as he carried out his mission.

Chief Morris shared an excerpt from one of Sergeant Self's e-mails, where the Airman stated: "As far as the heat of danger goes, every time a military member comes to the desert, they're in the heat of danger... It's my job to be in the heat of danger.

"Whether it's looking for insurgents, guarding detainees or sitting on a fence line, it's all dangerous," he wrote.

He is a Pontotoc, Miss., native who arrived at Little Rock Air Force Base in March 2004. He is survived by his mother, Jill.

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