Street renamed in honor of Warren Airman’s death Published June 23, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- A street renaming ceremony took place near the base museum Monday. Marne Loop became Barnes Loop in honor of Airman 1st Class Eric Barnes, a 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airman who died June 10, 2007, when an improvised explosive device exploded near his convoy about 100 miles south of Baghdad. "It's hard to believe a year has passed since we lost Eric," said Lt. Col. Paul Pidgeon, 90th LRS commander. "His smile, gentle nature and zeal for life are sorely missed by those at Warren." Airman Barnes deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. Shortly after his tour was complete, he volunteered to deploy again. During his voluntary deployment, an IED exploded near his convoy. Airman Barnes did not survive. "I feel like I know him," said Chief Master Sgt. Tammy Elliott, 90th Space Wing command chief. Chief Elliott had not been the command chief at Warren during Airman Barnes' time here. "It doesn't matter where you are, the feeling is the same," she said. "The loss is as big here as anywhere. "Eric is the epitome of the best of what the Air Force has," she continued. "I feel like I know him because he's us. He's the Air Force," she said with a smile. Airman Barnes is one of 27 Air Force Airmen who have died during the operation. Overall, more than 4,000 military members have perished in support of Iraqi Freedom. "We continue to be a nation at war," said Col. Mike Morgan, 90th SW commander. "We have Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who make sacrifices to keep our freedoms intact. "But let us not forget the hundreds of lives saved because of actions from people such as Airman Barnes," he said. He volunteered to go back, Colonel Morgan reiterated. By filling that deployment slot, Airman Barnes directly saved someone's life. While no one can ever know who that person is, Airman Barnes' sacrifice was not made in vain, the colonel said. "His bravery, commitment and dedication to duty is a shine to the United States Air Force," Colonel Pidgeon said. "By dedicating part of this historic base to Eric Barnes, all those who serve now can see and remember his sacrifice." After hearing the speeches made by the wing leadership, Airman Barnes' father, Tom, spoke about his late son. "Eric always told me about his friends at F.E. Warren," Mr. Barnes said. "Eric loved the Air Force. He would tell me all the time about how he loved the Air Force. Through this whole year, the Air Force has been wonderful [to us.]" "God bless the Barnes family, and God bless the United States of America," Colonel Pidgeon said. "Let us all remember a great American hero by the name of Airman 1st Class Eric M. Barnes," Colonel Morgan said.