The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton, 24, of Monroe Ga., died Sept. 8 near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive devise. He was assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

For further information related to this release, please contact the MacDill Air Force Base public affairs office at (813) 828-2215.