The Associated Press is reporting that a NATO helicopter was shot down Wednesday in Helmand province and four American soldiers aboard were killed:

NATO helicopter shot down in Afghanistan; 4 killed

Thoughts and prayers go out to all involved.


Anthony

Pentagon IDs airmen killed in helicopter crash
June 10, 2010

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has released the identities of the four airmen killed when the helicopter they were aboard crashed in Afghanistan.

A Taliban spokesman said the insurgents fired two rocket-propelled grenades to down the NATO helicopter on Wednesday. The crash happened in Helmand province, part of a volatile region where Taliban still hold sway despite a U.S. troop buildup.

Killed were 31-year-old Staff Sgt. Michael P. Flores of San Antonio; 25-year-old 1st Lt. Joel C. Gentz of Grass Lake, Mich.; 26-year-old Staff Sgt. David C. Smith of Eight Mile, Ala.; and 24-year-old Senior Airman Benjamin D. White of Erwin, Tenn.

Flores and White were assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Gentz was assigned to the 58th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Smith was assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis.

That Others May Live, Blue Skys PJ's.

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Nellis airman dies of Pave Hawk crash injuries


Anthony