SAVANNAH, GA -
The Department of Defense has released the names of five soldiers killed Monday, March 11th while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation.
Killed were:
Capt. Sara M. Knutson, 27, of Eldersburg, Md. She was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd ID, Hunter Army Airfield. Cpt. Knutson, an operations officer, joined the Army in May 2007 and arrived at the unit in February 2013. This was her first deployment.
Spc. Zachary L. Shannon, 21, of Dunedin, Fla. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd ID, Hunter Army Airfield. Spc. Shannon, a Black Hawk crew chief, joined the Army in August 2010 and arrived at the unit in April 2012. This was his first deployment.
Staff Sgt. Marc A. Scialdo, 31, of Naples, Fla. He was assigned to the 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd ID, Hunter Army Airfield. Staff Sgt. Scialdo, a Black Hawk section chief, joined the Army in January 2003 and arrived at the unit in January 2012. This was his second deployment. His awards include the Air Medal and Army Commendation with Valor.
Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Henderson, 27, of Franklin, La. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd ID, Hunter Army Airfield. Chief Warrant Officer Henderson, a Black Hawk pilot, joined the Army in May 2007 and arrived at the unit in August 2012. This was his second deployment. His awards include the Air Medal.
Staff Sgt. Steven P. Blass, 27, of Estherville, Iowa. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd ID, Hunter Army Airfield. Staff Sgt. Blass, a Black Hawk crew chief, joined the Army in March 2006 and arrived at the unit in August 2012. This was his second deployment. His awards include the Air Medal.
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Chaplain romeo axalan says the mood at hunter army airfield is solemn after word this week that five soldiers died in a helicopter crash in afghanistan. He says support teams notified families of three soldiers who live in the savannah area. Two other families live in florida. No names have been released but we are told that one woman and four men died in the crash.
We will have more on this story later today on wsav.com
