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Warren mourns: Airman 90th SW's first to be killed in global war on terror

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lisa Meiman
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  A memorial service for Warren's first fallen Airman in the global war on terror took place at the vehicle operations building June 14. 

Airman 1st Class Eric M. Barnes, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was killed about 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, June 10 when his convoy was attacked by an improvised explosive device. 

Airman Barnes, 20, of Lorain, Ohio, died from his injuries en route to a medical facility in the Green Zone. 

More than 600 Airmen attended the memorial and lined the street leading to the vehicle operations building. All were holding American flags. 

Airman Barnes' parents and brother also attended the ceremony honoring the first combat-related death in the 90th Space Wing's lineage since World War II. 

A memorial consisting of a helmet, dog tags, M-4 rifle and combat boots stood at the front of the building. Behind it was a large portrait of Airman Barnes in his desert uniform. 

"He was an amazing person with a generous heart, which made it impossible not to love him within five minutes of meeting him," said Tech. Sgt. Andy Wheeler, 90th LRS. "Eric will be deeply and truly missed by all that knew him." 

Airman Barnes was awarded four medals posthumously at the ceremony: a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart Medal, an Air Force Achievement Medal and an Air Force Combat Action Medal. 

"The loss of Airman Barnes weighs heavily on the hearts of our entire Warren family," said Col. Mike Carey, 90th Space Wing commander. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Eric's family, co-workers and friends." 

This was Airman Barnes' second tour in Iraq, one which he volunteered for. In Iraq, he was assigned to the U.S. Army 424th Medium Truck Detachment for his in-lieu-of assignment. In an ILO assignment, volunteers from the Air Force and Navy fulfill Army positions to support their sister service. 

A bugler played "Taps" to end the ceremony; Warren Airmen will most likely never listen to the somber tune the same way again.