SSgt. John T. Self, 29, of Pontotoc, Miss., was killed May 14 in Iraq, the Pentagon said yesterday. Three other airmen, whose names have not been released, were wounded by the improvised explosive device that killed Self in southern Baghdad. Self was a security forces specialist who had deployed from Little Rock AFB, Ark., on a year-long tour to help train Iraqi police forces, according to a base release.
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.
