The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel, 29, of San Antonio, Texas, died Feb. 13 while performing a canal rescue mission in Balad, Iraq.

Rangel was assigned to the 7th Civil Engineering Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

For more information related to this release please call Dyess Air Force Base Public Affairs, (325) 461-2161.