AFMC Command News

Air Force releases results of ground accident investigation

  • Published
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Report
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Air Force has completed its investigation into an accident in which an Airman died at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The report, released today, discusses factors which may have played a role in the accident.

Senior Airman James A. Hansen died from wounds suffered in an accident Sept. 15, 2010, at Joint Base Balad, when he was hit by debris from a controlled ordnance detonation. Assigned to the 46th Operations Support Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla., he was deployed to JB Balad with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing.

Senior Airman Hansen was one of 19 non-EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) military members allowed to observe disposal of unserviceable ordnance the day the accident occurred. Such disposal actions are routinely performed to keep unserviceable ordnance from harming personnel, resources and the environment. However, the data showed that the group was not far enough away from the explosion to be completely outside the blast range.

Air Force Materiel Command, the major command to which the 46th Operations Support Squadron at Eglin AFB belongs, conducted the ground accident investigation.

Air Force Col. John H. Franz, president of the Ground Accident Investigation Board, said, "The loss of Senior Airman Hansen is tragic. He was a dedicated warrior, a patriotic citizen, and a valued member of the AFMC team. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family."

Following the mishap, officials at Joint Base Balad halted all non-emergency detonations. They also began an immediate review of EOD operations and the flight operating instruction. In conjunction with this review, the EOD flight operating instructions are being rewritten and no non-emergency controlled detonations will be conducted until the instruction is complete and approved by wing leadership.


NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact JoAnne Rumple, AFMC/PAO, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, at  (937) 257-0046 or by fax at (937) 257-2558.