Air Force Capt. Kermit O. Evans, 31, of Hollandale, Miss., was killed in the Dec. 3 crash of a Marine Corps CH-46 helicopter in Iraq, announced DOD Tuesday. An Air Force statement said Evans was a civil engineer explosive ordnance flight commander deployed to Balad AB, Iraq, from Cannon AFB, N.M. He was one of 16 people aboard the Marine helicopter when it made an emergency landing in Lake Qadishiyah in western al Anbar Province. Evans was one of four who did not survive the crash. Officials do not believe the aircraft was shot down, but an investigation is underway.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3