A Fight in Afghanistan

 

 

CH-47D Crashes in Afghanistan

 

 

Fort Drum, New York Home of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry)

 

 

NEWS RELEASE: Ten 10th Mountain Division Soldiers killed in Afghanistan on 5 May 2006.

 

 

 

 

FORT DRUM – Ten Soldiers assigned to the 10th Mountain Division were killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, when their CH-47D Chinook helicopter, tail number 85-24349, crashed while conducting combat operations.

Six of the Soldiers were assigned to the division’s 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment. Four other Soldiers killed in the accident were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, a unit within the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

The bodies of the Soldiers killed in the accident, along with the helicopter, were recovered on 8 May by members of Combined Joint Task Force 76, the coalition military force charged with eliminating terrorist forces from Afghanistan and fostering an environment for the foundation of a democratic Afghan government.

Some 5,800 10th Mountain Division Soldiers based at Fort Drum, along with 1,300 Mountain Soldiers based at Fort Polk, Louisiana, deployed to Afghanistan in January to serve as the core of Combined Joint Task Force 76. The Soldiers were:

 

 

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Fenty, Jr.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Fenty, Jr., was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Fenty, 41, was the commander of 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    A native of New York, Fenty was commissioned an infantry officer in June 1986 after graduating from Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., with a degree in business administration.    After completing the Infantry Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to the 506th Infantry Regiment at Fort Kobbe, Panama. In 1990, Fenty was assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he served as a company commander and battalion staff officer. In June 1996, Fenty was reassigned to Fort Benning , Georgia, to the 14th Infantry Regiment and later to the 75th Ranger Regiment headquarters in July 1997.    Fenty was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in 1997 and deployed to Bosnia is support of multi-national operations. In March 2000, he was assigned to the Division’s 2nd Brigade and later deployed with 2nd Brigade to Afghanistan. In June 2002, he was assigned to the U.S. Army’s Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Virginia.    Fenty returned to the 10th Mountain Division in June 2004 and took command of the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment.    In 1994, Fenty was selected to serve for two years as an exchange officer with the British Army as an instructor at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the United Kingdom ’s equivalent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.    Fenty’s military education includes the Command General Staff College, Training Development Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Pathfinder Course, Jumpmaster Course, Ranger School, Jungle Warfare School, Infantry Officer Basic Course and Infantry Mortar Platoon Officer Course.    In 1998, Fenty received a master’s degree in education from Troy State University.    His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge and the Ranger Tab.    Fenty is survived by his wife, Kristin, his daughter Lauren and his parents.

 

 

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Eric W. Totten

 

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Eric W. Totten was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Totten, 34, was a CH-47 pilot assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    A native of Minnesota, Totten enlisted in the Army in August 1993. He attended the Warrant Officer Basic Course and became a qualified CH-47 pilot in 2000.    He deployed to Afghanistan with his unit in February 2006.    Totten’s military education includes the Air Assault Course, U.S Army Ranger School, Airborne Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Instructor Qualification Course, Warrant Officer Basic Course, CH-47D Aircraft Qualification Course (AQC), Strategic Deployment Scheduler Course, Unit Movement Officer Course, and the Action Officer Development Course.    His awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon,, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Driver/Mechanic Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab.    Totten is survived by his stepmother, Tommie Totten, in Dallas, Texas.

 

 

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher B. Donaldson

 

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher B. Donaldson, was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Donaldson, 28, was a CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    A native of Illinois, Donaldson enlisted in the Army in September 1997.    In April 2003, he began the Warrant Officer Candidate School to train as a helicopter pilot. He completed training to be an Army Aviator in 2004 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in November 2004. In April 2005, Donaldson was reassigned to Fort Drum to serve in the 10th Mountain Division.    Donaldson’s previous overseas assignments include a 14 month tour in Korea from April 1998 to June 1999. He also served in Germany from October 2000 to September 2002.    Donaldson’s military education includes the Army Maintenance Management Course, Electronic Warfare Officers Course, Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course, Rotary Wing Aviator Course and the Warrant Officer Candidate School.    His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge and the Army Aviator Badge.    Donaldson is survived by his father, William, of Beecher City, Illinois, and his mother, Lynne, of Effingham, Illinois.

 

 

Staff Sergeant Christopher T. Howick

 

Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Howick was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Howick, 34, was a CH-47 flight engineer assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    A native of Hamburg, New York, Howick enlisted in the Army in September 1991 and attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was assigned as a helicopter repairman with the 123rd Aviation Company at Fort Wainwright, Alaska in March 1993 until May 1996. He served at Fort Drum from May 1996 to December 1997 as a helicopter repair team chief.    From 1997 to 2001, Howick served with the 123rd Aviation Maintenance Detachment at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. From 2001 to 2004, he was assigned to the Aviation Center, at Fort Rucker, Alabama, as a helicopter repair instructor. He was reassigned to Fort Drum in June 2005 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2006.    Howick’s military education includes the Basic Non-commissioned Officer’s Course, Warrior Leader’s Course, Aviation Life Support Equipment Training, Air Assault and Mountain Warfare training.    His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Aviator Badge and the Air Assault Badge.    Howick is survived by his wife, Una, at Fort Drum and a daughter Noel. He is also survived by his parents Charles and Lola Howick, of Hamburg, New York.

 

 

Sergeant Bryan A. Brewster

 

Sgt. Bryan A. Brewster, was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Brewster, 24, was a CH-47 flight engineer assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    A native of Fontana, California, Brewster enlisted in the Army in September 2000 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After completing Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in August 2001.    He deployed to Afghanistan from January to July of 2002. He also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2003 to February 2004.    Brewster’s military education includes the Warrior Leader’s Course, Transportation of Hazardous Material Course, Strategic Deployment Scheduler Course and the Unit Movement Officer Course.    His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Aviator Badge.    Brewster is survived by his wife Kati, and his parents Louis and Linda Brewster, of Victorville, California.

 

 

Sergeant John C. Griffith

 

Sgt. John C. Griffith was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Griffith, 33, was a light wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    Originally from Wisconsin, Griffith enlisted in the Army in May 1991 and attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.    Following basic and advanced training, Griffith was assigned to the 56th Air Ambulance Company at Camp Humphries, Korea, in July 2004. In July 2005 Griffith was reassigned to Fort Drum.    Griffith is a graduate of the Warrior Leader’s Course.    His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge and Driver/Mechanic Badge.    Griffith is survived by his wife, Christa; their children Hunter, Spencer and Kailynn; and his parents, Robert and Barbara.

 

 

Sergeant Jeffery S. Wiekamp

 

Sgt. Jeffery S. Wiekamp was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Wiekamp, 23, was a CH-47 flight engineer assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    A native of South Dakota, Wiekamp enlisted in the Army in August 2001 and attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was also assigned to Fort Eustis, Virginia, and with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.    He deployed to Afghanistan with his unit in February 2006.    Wiekamp’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Aviator Badge.    Wiekamp is survived by his wife Ashley, who also deployed to Iraq, and his parents Randy and Kathleen Wiekamp, of Utopia, Texas.

 

 

Specialist Justin L. Odonohoe

 

Spc. Justin L. Odonohoe was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Odonohoe, 27, was a cavalry scout assigned to A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    Odonohoe, from San Diego, California, enlisted in the Army in April 2004 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After completing Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in September 2004 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2006.    Odonohoe’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge.    Odonohoe is survived by his parents, Joseph and Pamela Odonohoe, of San Diego, California, and his brother, Kyle.

 

 

Specialist David N. Timmons Jr.

 

Spc. David N. Timmons Jr., was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Timmons, 24, was a cavalry scout assigned to A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    A native of Lewisville, North Carolina, Timmons enlisted in the Army in January 2004 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After completing Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in June 2004.    He deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in February 2006.    Timmons’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Driver Badge.    Timmons is survived by his father, David Timmons and sister, Shalante Timmons, of Lewisville, North Carolina.

 

 

Private First Class Brian M. Moquin, Jr.

 

Pfc. Brian M. Moquin, Jr., was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 5 May 2006 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.    Moquin, 19, was a Cavalry Scout assigned to A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York.    A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Moquin enlisted in the Army in March 2005 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After completing Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in August 2005 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2006.    Moquin’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Driver Badge.    Moquin is survived by his father, Brian Moquin, Sr., and his mother, Tracy Vaillencourt, of Worcester, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his grandmother, Elsie Moquin, of Millbury, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

 

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