Air Force Airman 1st Class Corey C. Owens

Remember Our Heroes

Air Force Airman 1st Class Corey C. Owens, 26, of San Antonio, Texas

Airman 1st Class Owens was assigned to 47th Security Forces Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; died Feb. 17, 2011 at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, due to a non-combat incident.

Laughlin members are in mourning today after the Department of Defense announced the death of a 47th Security Forces Squadron member who was deployed to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.

Airman 1st Class Corey Owens, a 26-year-old installation patrolman with the 47th SFS, was pronounced dead of non-combat related injuries Feb. 17. Airman Owens, a native of San Antonio, was assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing while deployed to Iraq. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is the most forward-deployed Air Force wing in Iraq and has units at a number of different bases in Iraq.

"The Laughlin community is devastated by the loss of Corey (Airman Owens)," said Col. Michael Frankel, 47th Flying Training Wing commander. "He stepped up to serve his nation in a time of war and deployed when he was asked. There is nothing more honorable for an Airman."

Colonel Frankel said he had already been touched by an outpouring of concern from the Del Rio community. "This area's support for its military is really something special," he said.

Corey Owens was originally from Del Rio, Texas. Some of his family lives in the San Antonio are, and others live in Illinois. They are mourning Corey there, and in the Del Rio community, as well as at Laughlin Air Force base.

Airman Owens joined the Air Force in 2008. This was his second deployment to Iraq.

Spc. Owens deployed to Iraq with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing this past December on a six-month tour. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is the most forward-deployed Air Force wing, which has different units stationed at a number of air bases in Iraq. His commander said, Airman 1st Class Corey Owens was the perfect Air Force cop, as Security Forces troops call themselves.

“The level of his ability to lead at his rank and short time in the military far surpassed many of his peers,” Maj. Ian Dinesen, commander of the 47th Security Forces Squadron said. “He just had a natural knack as a leader. Definitely a rare quality.”

"The Laughlin community is devastated by the loss of Corey (Airman Owens)," said Col. Michael Frankel, 47th Flying Training Wing commander. "He stepped up to serve his nation in a time of war and deployed when he was asked. There is nothing more honorable for an Airman."

Airman 1st Class Owens leaves behind family and friends, and his fellow Airmen at Laughlin AFB. Airman Owens joined the Air Force in 2008 and his only permanent duty station was Laughlin. This was his second deployment.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Corey C. Owens was killed in a non-combat related incident on 2/17/11.