The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit while on patrol during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 7. Both soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Henry W. Linck, 23, of Manhattan, Kan.

Spc. Micah S. Gifford, 27, of Redding, Calif.

For further information related to this release, contact the U.S. Army Alaska Public Affairs Office at (907) 384-1542.