Little Rock Airman Killed in Iraq

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Self, from Detachment 7, 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, adjusts his body armor prior to departing Camp Victory, Iraq, March 7, 2007, to conduct a police transition team mission in Baghdad, Iraq. Airmen with Self's unit train Iraqi police on police station operations and patrol tactics in order to enable them to take the lead for domestic security and establish a secure environment for Iraqi citizens. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)

Little Rock Airman Killed in Iraq

Published May 16, 2007
By Staff Sgt Kati Garcia
314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark -- Staff Sgt. John Self, a security forces specialist from the 314th Squadron Forces Squadron, was killed Monday by a roadside bomb near Baghdad, Iraq.

Sergeant Self has been in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since September on a 365-day deployment.

"John volunteered for this deployment while he was deployed to Al Udeid (Air Base, Qatar)," said Chief Master Sgt. Keith Morris, 314th SFS security forces manager. "We discussed this deployment via e-mail. He said he made his decision to deploy again to gain experience."

According to reports, Sergeant Self was on patrol in Baghdad when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Self family as their grieve the tragic loss of this Airman warrior and son," said Maj. Allan Fiel, 314th SFS commander. "Any time we lose an Airman, the entire Air Force family suffers that loss."

Sergeant Self was always aware of the danger he faced as he executed his mission in the Middle East.

Chief Morris shared an excerpt from one of Sergeant Self's e-mails, where the Airman stated "As far as the heat of danger does, every time a military member comes to the desert, they're in the heat of danger... It's my job to be in the heat of danger.

"Whether it's looking for insurgents, guarding detainees, or sitting on a fenceline, it's all dangerous," he wrote.

He is a Pontotoc, Miss., native who arrived at Little Rock Air Force Base in March, 2004. He is survived by his mother, Jill.