The Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died Monady, in Kandahar, Afghanistan in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash. The incident is under investigation.
Killed were:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.