Another Air Force explosive ordnance specialist has been killed in Iraq. The Pentagon has released the name of SrA. William N. Newman, 23, of Kingston Springs, Tenn., who died of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device during operations June 7 south of Balad, Iraq. Newman had deployed to Iraq from Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Senior Air Force leaders noted earlier this year during Congressional testimony that the Air Force and Navy are providing the bulk of EOD specialists for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held meetings with defense leaders from the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea during a trip to the Indo-Pacific this week.