DoD Identifies Army Casualties
December 14, 2007

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died in Afghanistan from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gabel, 30, of Crowley, La., who died Dec. 12 at Forward Operating Base Curry, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Joshua C. Blaney, 25, of Matthews, N.C., who died Dec. 12 at Forward Operating Base Curry, Afghanistan.

For further information related to this release, contact the Southern Europen Task Force public affairs office at 011-39-0444-71-7011 or 011-39-0444-71-8020.