The wife of a Hickam-based airman who died Saturday in Iraq said her husband was a loving father who cared deeply about his family and job.

Airman 1st Class Carl Jerome Ware Jr., 22, died in a "noncombat related incident" at Camp Bucca, Iraq, the Air Force said. Ware was based at Hickam Air Force Base and was assigned to the 886th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

The Air Force said Ware's death remained under investigation.

Yesterday, Senior Airman Christine Ware said in a statement released by the Air Force that her husband accomplished three major goals in his life: he was a husband, father and a police officer.

The two had been childhood sweethearts, and both joined the Air Force. Christine Ware enlisted in June 2002 and Carl followed about two years later.

The Wares have a daughter, Caitlyn, who turns 1 this month.

"When we first found out that I was pregnant, Carl was so nervous. I don't think he had ever even held a baby before Caity," Christine Ware said. "But he was such a great dad. He made sure she had everything she ever wanted."

Ware, of Glassboro, N.J., was the first Hickam airman to be killed in Iraq, where he was on his first deployment. Christine Ware said her husband was "nervous" about leaving behind his family.

"When he first left, we spoke on the phone every day, but after the first few weeks, we decided it'd be easier to speak every few days," she said. "He would never call when I was at work because he wanted to make sure he could talk to Caity."

Before he left, Ware taught his daughter how to speak on the phone, she said.

"Carl was the best husband, father and friend a person could hope to have," Christine Ware said. "He was always happy and great to be around. He will always be a part of me."