Feb 20, 2007

The Department of Defense announced today the death of seven soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.They died Feb. 18 in southeastern Afghanistan when the Chinook helicopter they were in crashed.The incident is under investigation.

Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer Hershel D. McCants Jr., 33, of Ariz.McCants was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Chief Warrant Officer John A. Quinlan, 36, of New Jersey.Quinlan was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. Adam A. Wilkinson, 23, of Fort Carson, Colo.Wilkinson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Spc. Travis R. Vaughn, 26, of Reinbeck, Iowa.Vaughn was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Spc. Brandon D. Gordon, 21, of Naples, Fla.Gordon was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Pfc. Ryan C. Garbs, 20, of Edwardsville, Ill.Garbs was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

Pfc. Kristofer D. S. Thomas, 18, of Roseville, Calif.Thomas was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.