The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Command Sgt. Major Eric F. Cooke, 43, of Scottsdale, Ariz., was killed on Dec. 24, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq. Cooke was in a convoy vehicle that struck an improvised explosive device. Cooke was assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, based in Ray Barracks, Friedberg, Germany.

The incident is under investigation.