Second F-15E crewmember confirmed dead Published April 23, 2003 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Department of Defense officials announced April 23 that Maj. William R. Watkins III, 37, of Danville, Va., was killed in action April 7 while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Watkins was assigned to the 333rd Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.Watkins was the weapons system officer of an F-15E Strike Eagle that went down April 7 during a combat mission in Iraq. The incident remains under investigation, according to officials.DOD officials announced April 18 that the pilot of the aircraft, Capt. Eric B. Das, was also killed in the crash.