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| US Air Force charges airman over ‘deliberate’ explosion on base in Syria in April |
| 2022-08-05 |
| [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 facility The 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 |
| #4 Oh, and as for motive... what's the origin of the name "Dezwaan"? |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2022-08-05 17:21 |
| #3 Aren't awards that name an entire branch of the military just participation trophies? |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2022-08-05 17:20 |
| #2 I have never heard of a technical sergeant in the Air Force getting a Navy Achievement Medal. They are low level medals but that one sounds like he did something unusual other than traying to blow up an occupied shower. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2022-08-05 13:02 |
| #1 "Does he have a Good Conduct Medal?" My sister was on jury duty and wanted to know that about a shoplifter after the defense lauded his former service. To get a GCM you need to avoid 'crapping in your own nest', as it were, during your enlistment. The medals mentioned sound like your usual participation trophies... |
| Posted by: magpie 2022-08-05 11:35 |