DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
February 12, 2007

The Department of Defense announced today the death of five Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Capt. Jennifer J. Harris, 28, of Swampscott, Mass.

1st Lt. Jared M. Landaker, 25, of Big Bear City, Calif.

Sgt. Travis D. Pfister, 27, of Richland, Wash.

Cpl. Thomas E. Saba, 30, of Toms River, N.J.

Sgt. James R. Tijerina, 26, of Beasley, Texas

All five Marines died Feb. 7 when the helicopter they were flying in crashed while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

Harris, Landaker, Pfister, and Tijerina were assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Saba was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Media with questions about Harris, Landaker, Pfister, and Tijerina can contact the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing public affairs office at (858) 577-6000. Media with questions about Saba can contact the Okinawa public affairs office at 011-81-611-745-0790.