Improvised explosive device kills three Hill Airmen

  • Published
  • By 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNEWS) --  Three Airmen from Hill AFB were killed Jan. 7 by a car bomb while performing duties in the Baghdad area. The explosion also injured a fourth Airman not assigned to Hill.

The Airmen were assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight. While in Iraq, the Airmen were members of the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron.

Killed were:
-- Tech. Sergeant Timothy R. Weiner, 35, noncommissioned officer in charge of EOD operations, from Tamarack, Fla. He entered active duty Feb. 26, 1990.
-- Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, 23, EOD journeyman, from New Castle, Del. She entered the military March 11, 2003.
-- Senior Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr., 24, EOD apprentice, from Galesburg, Ill. He entered the service Jan. 13, 2004.

The Airmen are Hill AFB's first killed-in-action in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The commander of Air Force Materiel Command offered words of comfort.

"Sergeant Weiner, Airman Loncki and Airman Miller gave their lives in the pursuit of the safety and security of this nation and the freedom and democracy of the Iraqi people," said Gen. Bruce Carlson. "Their great sacrifice will not be forgotten."

"Speaking for everyone at Team Hill, we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our three Airmen" said Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Sullivan, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander. "Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the families, friends, and co-workers of these brave Air Force heroes during this difficult period. Each of these Airmen was a highly valued member of our Air Force and their service to our nation will not be forgotten."

Col. Scott Chambers, 75th Air Base Wing commander, said, "The loss of these Airmen to Team Hill is a true tragedy to our organization, to our base and to the Air Force. Their commitment to the unit's mission and the Air Force was unparalleled -- they each were great patriots."

EOD specialists are trained to deal with explosive devices. At Hill AFB, they support local civil authorities and the U.S. Secret Service and they handle unexploded ordnance at the Utah Test and Training Range. In a deployed status, their job includes rendering munitions safe and maintaining safe passage for convoys on supply routes.

A memorial service at Hill AFB is scheduled for Jan. 12.

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