U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=5821
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
or +1 (703) 571-3343

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 895-03
November 26, 2003

DoD Identifies Air Force Casualties

            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four airmen killed in an MH-53M helicopter accident in Afghanistan on Nov. 23.  The airmen were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Maj. Steven Plumhoff, 33, of Neshanic Station, N.J.  Plumhoff was assigned to the 58th Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

            Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Walkup Jr., 25, of Millville, N.J.  Walkup was assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

            Tech. Sgt. Howard A. Walters, 33, of Port Huron, Mich.  Walters was assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

            Tech. Sgt. William J. Kerwood, 37, of Houston, Mo.  Kerwood was assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

            The incident is under investigation.