Schofield soldier killed in Afghanistan

[seemslikeadream]

The infrantryman was involved in a firefight in what's known as a trouble spot
Gregg Kakesako
[e-mail]



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A Schofield Barracks soldier was killed in Afghanistan during a firefight yesterday.
The Army withheld the name of the 25th Infantry Division soldier until his next of kin were notified. The infantryman, a vehicle gunner on a mounted patrol, died when his vehicle came under enemy fire in the Paktika province in the southeastern part of the country.

The Army said the soldier, 21, was married and a member of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry "Wolfhounds," based out of a former Soviet airfield at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E near the Pakistan border.

The Army said the area where the Schofield Barracks and another soldier were killed has been a trouble spot harboring al-Qaida fighters since the Taliban was ousted in 2001.

He is the fourth Schofield Barracks soldier killed in Afghanistan since 5,500 of them left Wahiawa in March and April for a yearlong deployment.

Col. Gary Cheek, the 25th Division’s artillery commander who heads Task Force Thunder based at Forward Operating Base Salerno, said: “The loss of any soldier is a terrible tragedy. While it is hard on his friends and comrades here in Afghanistan, our loss is of no comparison to that of his wife and loved ones. We are deeply appreciative of our fallen comrade's service, his sacrifice to our nation, and the tremendous difference he made in this challenged land.
http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=2924

How many more georgie, how many more?