Willis, James Clarke

Lt. Col. James Clarke Willis was a 55-year-old officer from Albuquerque, New Mexico, assigned to the 210th Red Horse Squadron, a rapid engineer deployable heavy operational repair squadron based at Kirtland Air Force Base. He was a member of the Air Force Reserve Command.

Willis died on June 26, 2021, at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a major U.S. military hub for operations in the Middle East. According to the Department of Defense, he was killed in a non-combat incident while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations reportedly opened an inquiry into his death.

Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. It began with airstrikes in August 2014, following the group's territorial gains. The mission involved coalition airpower, special operations forces, and advisory support to local ground forces.

In a statement, the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland AFB said the base community was mourning the loss. Willis's death was one of 107 U.S. service member fatalities recorded in connection with Operation Inherent Resolve as of late 2021.

Willis's specific role with the 210th Red Horse Squadron, which specializes in heavy construction and repair in combat zones, indicates he was engaged in critical infrastructure support for the air campaign. No further personal or professional details have been widely documented in public reports.

James Clarke Willis was killed during Operation Inherent Resolve (ongoing since 2014). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Villotcarrasco, Yeshabel, Spears, Jordan Lee, Walker, Jonathan Doyle, Neal, Sean Patrick.

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