Mildenhall mourns sergeant’s death

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Cindy Dorfner
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (AFPN) --  Master Sgt. Bernard Huggins was what people in the Air Force call a “fast burner.”

In the military for 14 years, the flightline expeditor with the 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was promoted in July -- fairly early at age 33.

Sergeant Huggins, who was from Manning, S.C., was found dead Nov. 18 in a field near Freckenham, just a few miles from here. The circumstances surrounding his death aren’t yet clear, though the Suffolk Constabulary is certain nothing suspicious took place.

Even with all his success in uniform, it’s the things off duty which will highlight the memories of those who knew him. His heart, his cooking and his undying love for his children are what those closest to him will remember.

For Staff Sgt. Akilah Huggins, living without her best friend and the father of her children -- Kendrick, 7, and Savannah, 5 -- is going to be difficult. Though the two had recently gotten divorced, they remained close and hoped to get back together.

“He was the best friend I could ever have. We talked about everything,” said Sergeant Huggins, who is with the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron. “He was the best father I’ve ever known. He loved his kids so much.”

Staff Sgt. Deametreyess Simmons, of the 100th Air Refueling Wing staff, had known Sergeant Huggins since they were stationed in Korea. Though she didn’t know him well there, that changed when she arrived at Mildenhall.

Sergeant Simmons had been here about 60 days when she found out she was deploying. She was single and didn’t know many people, so Sergeant Huggins stepped in and volunteered to take care of her car, her bills ... and anything else that needed attention.

“I considered him my best friend, even if he didn’t consider me the same,” Sergeant Simmons said. “He was always there. I could always count on him.”

Sergeant Simmons knew she could count on her friend for just about anything.

“He was somebody to look up to,” said Sergeant Simmons. “He was really serious about studying for that next stripe. He knew I was a morning person, so he would call me in the mornings to ask if I was studying. Sometimes, he would see me online and tell me to get off the computer and get studying. He knew I was just chatting with friends.”

Sergeant Huggins said she’ll do everything to make sure her kids don’t forget their father.

“I’m going to ask them every day to tell me something different they remember about their daddy,” she said. “Today, Savannah remembered when they played checkers she never got to win. I told her I would teach her how to play so she can win every time. Kendrick remembered the fireworks they just went to see in Lakenheath.”

She made a pledge to their father, as well.

“When I was alone with him after he died, I made a promise to him,” she said. “On their graduation days, on their wedding days --even though he won’t be there physically -- he’ll be there with them. I’ll make sure they know he’s there.”