An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Deployed wing honors fallen Scott EOD Airman with building dedication

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  In a ceremony attended by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy, former Air Force Reserve and Scott Air Force Base explosives ordnance technician, Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell, Jr., was honored with a building dedication at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia.

Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing and its 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron renamed the civil engineer squadron's explosive ordnance disposal building to the Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell Jr. Memorial EOD Building June 27. Sergeant Campbell was originally deployed to the 380th ECES in late 2009 and was forward deployed to Afghanistan where he was killed by an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Sergeant Campbell, who was 35 years old and was deployed from the 932nd Civil Engineer Squadron at Scott AFB, received words of praise from the Air Force's top enlisted leader, according to a story published by 380th AEW Public Affairs.

The story said Chief Roy noted how he has long admired the bravery of EOD technicians and that people like Sergeant Campbell are true professionals.

"He was a public servant that truly placed service before self," the article said from Chief Roy's comments at the building dedication ceremony. "His legacy and the profession of EOD continue on for us to reflect on."

During the ceremony, Chief Roy and Col. Mike Minahan, 380th AEW commander, unveiled the new sign to the building and special recognition was given to Sergeant Campbell by all in attendance.

In December 2009 the commander of Sergeant Campbell's home unit - the Air Force Reserve's 932nd Airlift Wing of Scott AFB - described Sergeant Campbell in an article by 932nd AW Public Affairs.

"The 932nd Airlift Wing will shed many tears, but we will all know that Sergeant Anthony Campbell is a 'hero' by any definition," said Col. William H. Edwards, Jr., 932nd AW commander, in the story. "And I know that I speak for everyone in saying that we are proud to call him one of ours and a friend to all."

The newly-named Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell Jr. Memorial EOD Building will continue to house EOD operations for many years to come in the 380th AEW. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of five groups and 18 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

(Maj. Stan Paregien, 932nd AW Public Affairs, and Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee, 380th AEW Public Affairs, contributed to this story.)