USAF courtesy photo Staff Sgt. Timothy Bowles was killed when his vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device while on a four-vehicle patrol checking on a local school on March 15 in Afghanistan. He was deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
Staff and wire reports
Flags are at half-staff around the state in honor of a former Cannon Air Force Base airman killed March 15 in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Timothy Bowles, 24, was killed when an improvised explosive device destroyed his vehicle while he was on a four-vehicle patrol checking a local school.
Funeral services were held Monday morning at Calvary Chapel in Santa Fe. He was buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery, according to KRQE of Albuquerque.
Stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, Bowles deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in November.
Gov. Bill Richardson ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Monday and Tuesday “in honor and mourning of United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Timothy Bowles. The thoughts and prayers of the people of New Mexico go out to his family as well as a heartfelt appreciation for his courageous service,” a press release said.
Bowles’ first assignment following technical school was at Cannon, where he served in the 27th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
Tech. Sgt. Rick Ramirez, now assigned to the 27th Special Operations Contracting Squadron, said he served with Bowles in the 27th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
“Tim was really a good guy,” Ramirez said.
When he heard his friend had been killed, he posted his condolences to Bowles’ parents via the Tucson Citizen newspaper Web site.
“I had the privilege of serving with time while he was stationed out here. You raised a fine young man,” he wrote. “His Air Force family here at Cannon has been deeply saddened by the news of his passing.”
Bowles is survived by his father, Louis Bowles, an Air Force retiree, and his mother, Lisa Bowles, who live in northern New Mexico.
The younger Bowles was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and grew up on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., where his father was stationed.
At Elmendorf, Bowles was a fire truck mechanic assigned to the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron.
“The 3rd Wing and all of Team Elmendorf feel the pain of losing Sergeant Bowles,” said Col. Richard Walberg, the 3rd Wing vice commander.
“He was always ready to go beyond what was merely expected of him. Raised in a military family, he knew the cost of freedom. He did not falter and he did not fail. Our prayers are with Tim’s family, friends and professional colleagues.”
Bowles was filling in for another airman who was ill when he was killed, Walberg said.
