Two Soldiers Killed in Iraq Helicopter Crash

American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Jan. 28, 2007 – Two U.S. soldiers were killed today when a Multinational Division Baghdad helicopter crashed north of Najaf, Iraq, military officials reported.
Officials said the helicopter was involved in operations to assist Iraqi security forces who had been attacked.

A news release announcing the crash did not report the type of helicopter and did not say whether it went down as a result of enemy action. Officials said operations continue in the area, the soldiers' bodies have been recovered, and that the incident is under investigation.

The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Soldiers, Marine Killed in Iraq; DoD Identifies Previous Casualties

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2007 – Two U.S. soldiers and one Marine were killed in Iraq yesterday, two soldiers were killed Jan. 26, and two soldiers were killed Jan. 25, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has identified six earlier casualties.
-- An 89th Military Police Brigade soldier died yesterday when an improvised explosive device detonated next to his vehicle in northern Iraq.

-- A Marine assigned to 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit died yesterday as the result of wounds suffered due to enemy action while operating in Anbar province.

-- A soldier was killed by an IED during a patrol north of Baghdad Jan. 27.

-- A Multinational Corps Iraq soldier was killed and three others were wounded by an IED during a patrol in Diyala province, Jan. 26.

-- A U.S. soldier with Task Force Lightning, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was killed Jan. 26 when an IED detonated near his vehicle during operations in Diyala province.

-- Two Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers were killed and two others were wounded Jan. 25 when an IED detonated near their patrol in eastern Baghdad.

The servicemembers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

In other news, the Defense Department released the identities of two soldiers, a Marine and three sailors who died while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

-- Army Pfc. Nathan P. Fairlie, 21, of Candor, N.Y., died of injuries suffered in Baqubah on Jan. 26 when an IED detonated near his Bradley fighting vehicle during combat operations. Fairlie was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

-- Army Pfc. Darrell W. Shipp, 25, of San Antonio, died Jan. 25 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when an IED detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

-- Marine Cpl. Mark D. Kidd, 26, of Milford, Mich., died Jan. 25 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Anbar province. Kidd was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Mount Clemens, Mich.

-- Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jane E. Lanham, 43, of Owensboro, Ky., died of natural causes Sept. 19 in Bahrain. Lanham was assigned to Naval Branch Health Clinic, Bahrain.

-- Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Roger A. Napper, 20, of Greensburg, Pa., died of injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident Oct. 7 in Bahrain. Napper was assigned to Mobile Security Squadron 3, Detachment Bahrain.

-- Navy Seaman Sandra S. Grant, 23, of Linwood, N.C., died of natural causes Dec. 31 while serving in the Arabian Sea. Grant was assigned to the USS Eisenhower.

While not the result of hostile action, the sailors' casualties are being announced to ensure consistency in reporting deaths that occurred in a hostile-fire zone, officials said.