United States Department of Defense

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The soldiers were killed on Nov. 15 when two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Mosul, Iraq. 

       
             Pfc. Richard W. Hafer, 21, of Cross Lanes, W.Va.  Hafer was assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 320^th Field Artillery, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

 

Capt. Pierre E. Piche, 29, of Starksboro, Vt.  Piche was assigned to the 626^th Forward Support Battalion, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

 

Pfc. Joey D. Whitener, 19, of Nebo, N.C.  Whitener was assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 320^th Field Artillery, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

 

The incident is under investigation.