US identifies four American victims in Afghan crash

The Pentagon said on Sunday the crash of the MC-12 was under investigation.


Reuters April 29, 2013
An aerial view of the Pentagon in Washington August 31, 2010. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

WASHINGTION: The Pentagon identified four US victims in Saturday's crash of a surveillance aircraft in southern Afghanistan and said the incident appeared unrelated to Taliban violence.

The police chief in Zabul province, Rogh Lewanai, told Reuters on Saturday that bad weather caused the plane to crash, in the district of Shahjoi. At the time, NATO did not identify the nationality of the victims but said they were part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

The Pentagon said on Sunday the crash of the MC-12 was under investigation.

Zabul, wedged between Kandahar and Ghazni, has seen much violence in recent weeks, including a suicide bomb attack in early April that killed a young US diplomat, several US soldiers and an unnamed US civilian. Dozens of Afghan civilians also have been killed there this month.

The Pentagon said all four victims were airmen: Captain Brandon Cyr, 28, of Woodbridge, Virginia; Captain Reid Nishizuka, 30, of Kailua, Hawaii; Staff Sergeant Daniel Fannin, 30, of Morehead, Kentucky; and Staff Sergeant Richard Dickson, 24, of Rancho Cordova, California.

COMMENTS (3)

US CENTCOM | 11 years ago | Reply

Dear Saleem Khan,

With all due respect, what you’re saying is simply not true. It is no secret that we’ve lost thousands of brave soldiers in fighting terrorism in the region. There is no reason for us to make false claims when the news is also being confirmed by the police chief in Zabul province (As mentioned above). We proudly appreciate the sacrifices made by our forces in the region.

We are saddened to hear about the death of these individuals. We send our condolences to their families and hope that they will find the strength to deal with this tragedy.

Ali Khan

Enlightened | 11 years ago | Reply

@Saleem Khan: Well, American's claim is still possible but what about your military claiming that its jet's bombardment only kill terrorists and that too has eliminated thousands so far but no signs of militancy coming down in Pakistan. You decide which one is a credible claim.

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