The Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died August 14, 2007, in Al Taqqadum, Iraq, of injuries suffered when their helicopter crashed.  They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, Task Force 49, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer Christopher C. Johnson, 31, of Michigan.
Chief Warrant Officer Jackie L. McFarlane Jr, 30, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Staff Sergeant Sean P. Fisher, 29, of Santee, California
Staff Sergeant Stanley B. Reynolds, 37, of Rock, West Virginia
Specialist Steven R. Jewell, 26, of Bridgeton, North Carolina

The incident is under investigation.

For more information related to this release, the media may contact the U.S. Army, Alaska, public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.

NOTE: There will be a group burial for this aircrew at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, 3 October 2008, following services in the Post Chapel at Fort Myer, Virginia.

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