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US Air Force charges airman over ‘deliberate’ explosion on base in Syria in April
[IsraelTimes] Service member facing slew of criminal charges for blast that injured 4; Pentagon says explosives were placed in airbase’s ammunition area and shower facilityThe US Air Force has filed criminal charges against an airman in connection with an April explosion that injured US troops at a base in eastern Syria. Tech. Sgt. David D. Dezwaan Jr. is facing several charges, including dereliction of duty, destroying military property, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault, in the blast that injured four service members. He has been held in confinement by the Air Force since June. The US military initially reported that the injuries were caused by artillery or another form of indirect fire. But the Pentagon later said the April 7 attack was carried out by the "deliberate placement of explosive charges" by one or more individuals at an ammunition holding area and shower facility on the base, known as Green Village. The Air Force, in a statement Thursday, said a preliminary hearing date has been set for August 23 at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Dezwaan, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, also was charged with accessing a government computer with an unauthorized purpose and obtaining classified information. The blasts hit two support buildings. Four service members were evaluated for minor injuries and possible traumatic brain injuries. Officials have provided no insight into any motivation for the attack. The April 7 bombing that took place at the base known as Green Village, which is east of the Euphrates River in Syria and adjacent to major oil fields. Several hundred U.S. and coalition forces are stationed at Green Village as they train local forces to fight remnants of the Islamic State terrorist group, according to the Pentagon. Operation Inherent Resolve is a U.S.-led international coalition under U.S. Central Command that targets ISIS, primarily in Iraq and Syria. Dezwaan joined the Air Force in October 2007 and is attached to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron at Hill AFB. He has been awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal and the Army Commendation Medal, according to Stefanek. Posted by: trailing wife 2022-08-05 |
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