Three Airmen, Two Soldiers Killed in Iraq; Casualty Identified

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2007 – Three airmen and two soldiers were killed while serving in Iraq in recent days, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has identified a soldier killed New Year's Day.

Three airmen assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Division were killed today by a car bomb while performing duties in the Baghdad area.

One airman was injured in the explosion.

Insurgent small-arms fire targeting a Multinational Division Baghdad patrol killed one soldier in a southwestern section of Baghdad yesterday.

The unit was providing security on a well-traveled route in the area when it came under attack. Numerous roadside bombs and a weapons cache have been found in the area since Jan. 1.

On Jan. 5, a soldier assigned to 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group died from wounds suffered while operating in Anbar province.

The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of the families.

The Defense Department also has identified a soldier killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Army Sgt. Thomas E. Vandling Jr., 26, of Pittsburgh, Pa., died Jan. 1 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when a car bomb detonated near his vehicle while on combat patrol.
Vandling was assigned to the 303rd Psychological Operations Company, Oakdale, Pa., a subordinate unit of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.