Fallen EOD Airmen remembered during Sather memorial

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Scott McNabb
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) --  A memorial Jan. 10 honored the lives of three 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen killed in the line of duty Jan. 7.

The members of "Team Lima" -- Tech. Sgt. Timothy Weiner, Senior Airman Daniel Miller, and Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki -- all deployed from 775th CES at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, were investigating a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near Al Mahmudiyah when the device detonated, killing the three Airmen and a U.S. Army Soldier, and injuring another Airman.

More than 480 Airmen and Soldiers gathered at the 447th Air Expeditionary Wing headquarters building to pay their respects and hear the words of Col. Gregory Marston, the 447th AEG commander; Maj. Brian Hartless, the 447th ECES commander; and members of the 447th ECES EOD Flight.

During his speech, Colonel Marston touched on how the war on terrorism has changed the way men and women of the U.S. military do business, and said EOD personnel, in particular, face the constant threat of improvised explosive devices.

"Each time they left their forward operation bases, they faced many dangers yet did not shrink from their task," he said. "During their time in Iraq, Team Lima successfully executed 194 missions on the outskirts of Baghdad, resulting in the safe disarming of 129 IEDs."

Major Hartless said it is hard when someone loses a brother or sister in arms, and that's what they were.

"Tim, Liz and Dan were here because they answered the call to serve in the United States Air Force," he said. "For this mission, the Air Force calls upon the best of the best EOD techs. High speed, tough-as-nails Airmen who can be counted on to get the job done. Tim, Liz and Dan were clearly right for the job."

Major Hartless called their service in Iraq "heroic and unselfish dedication to duty."

"These were valiant combat warriors and they gave their lives in the pursuit of the safety and security of the United States and the freedom and democracy of the Iraqi people," he said. "They were called to serve and they did so with distinction, honor and courage. May we all be so fortunate to be remembered that way."

Senior Airman Justin Bavery, also from Hill AFB, said there were no words to begin to describe his sorrow. He said they were there to "express the immeasurable love that we have for Timothy Weiner, Daniel Miller and Elizabeth Loncki."

"I've often been asked how anyone would want to do what we do, risking everything with such unpredictable outcomes and dire consequences," he said. "The answer, I think, is not what we do, but why we do it. It is through our actions, our courage and determination and our love that we save the very things that we believe in and become something more than we ever thought we could together. So tonight, we watch another crimson sun burn slowly into the West. Remember the light that these three gave to each of us."

"The actions of Team Lima saved many lives," Colonel Marston said. "I want to personally thank these three Airmen for that and (for) their ultimate sacrifice to eliminate the IED scourge in Iraq."

Colonel Marston said pictures of Sergeant Weiner and Airmen Loncki and Miller would be placed in the new dining facility near the picture that gives the facility it's name -- Tech. Sgt. Walter M. Moss, an EOD technician killed in action here last year.

Colonel Marston said every Airman has a critical role in the war effort.

"We respect the memory of our EOD members by continuing our contribution to the war effort here," he said. "Many in the AOR are counting on your work and all that you do as we keep pressing forward to win this conflict."

When Colonel Marston talked to Airman Loncki's mother, he was humbled by the amount of caring and support she had to offer.

"She asked me, 'What can I do for you and your people in Iraq?' My response was simple," he said. "'You have done enough already.'"

Still she insisted that she will send cookies and baked goods, even after losing her only child.

"That is the character of the American people that still support us, regardless of political persuasion," said Colonel Marston. "This is what Team Lima was fighting for. This is why we must continue to give this conflict our maximum effort at this critical time in this dangerous war."

In line with tradition, an EOD roll call was conducted near the end of the ceremony. Senior Master Sgt. Robert Wenner, the 447th ECES EOD flight superintendent, called out each flight member's name. Each flight member responded, "Here, senior master sergeant."

Then, Sergeant Wenner called out the names of Sergeant Weiner and Senior Airmen Miller and Loncki three times. The only reply was the deafening silence until the strain of Taps was heard in the distance.

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