Rest in peace to the fallen. This week has been a bad one for contractor deaths. Thanks to Ms Sparky and Defense Base Act Comp for getting the word out and my heart goes out to the friends and family. –Matt
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Dyncorp & DRS Technology employees killed in Afghanistan (Updated)
Ms Sparky
September 7, 2010
I have just received a confirmed report there was a a September 6, 2010 attack on a forward operating base Howz-e-Madad in Kandahar province Afghanistan. This attack took the lives of three DynCorp LOGCAP IV employees and wounded several others.
Dyncorp just released this:
September 7, 2010 – We are deeply saddened to report that a September 6 attack on a forward operating base in Howz-e-Madad, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, took the lives of three LOGCAP IV personnel and wounded several others.
William Allen, 51, of Munhall, Pennsylvania, worked as an electrician on the LOGCAP IV program and was killed at the time of the incident. Alan Herzel, 48, of Milton, Florida, who worked as a plumber foreman, received medical care after the incident but later passed away as a result of his injuries. A third subcontract employee who provided information technology support for the program also lost his life in the attack; DynCorp International will defer to his employer to release any personal details.
A number of individuals who were wounded in the attack were transported by medevac for hospital care.
In a condolence note to LOGCAP IV management, Colonel Cameron G. Holt, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Commander, Afghanistan, wrote:
“As is too often the case in war, the cost of freedom extends not just to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines who have pledged their lives to defend their country; it is also borne by our civilians at home and among the ranks of American defense contractors like you who stand shoulder to shoulder with us in this struggle.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured or killed, with their families, and with all of our colleagues at FOB Howz-e-Madad.
*****
Updated: September 10, 2010
Javier de la Garza Jr, Killed in Attack in Afghanistan
Posted by defensebaseactcomp
September 10, 2010
Former Valley Soldier Killed in Afghanistan
HAVANA – The family of a former valley soldier is mourning tonight.
Lots of questions surround the death of UTPA alumn Javier de la Garza Jr.
His grandparents in Havana tell CHANNEL 5 NEWS he worked as a private contractor overseas.
De la Garza was killed during some kind of attack in Afghanistan earlier this week.
The 27-year-old lived in Austin for some time before joining the Army in 2000. He deployed to Iraq then settled in the Valley after his service. He attended UT-Pan American in Edinburg before deciding to return overseas. This time he went as a civilian and worked in the IT department for a private contractor in Afghanistan.
De la Garza’s family hasn’t been told when his body will return to the states. (click HERE for original article)
Link to blog here.