The Pentagon released the names of two military and one civilian members of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations killed in Iraq Nov. 1. The special agents were: MSgt. Thomas A. Crowell, 36, of Neosho, Mo.; SSgt. David A. Wieger, 28, of North Huntingdon, Pa.; and Nathan J. Schuldheiss, 27, of Newport, R.I. An AFOSI release states that they died of wounds from an improvised explosive device during operations near Balad Air Base. The three deployed to Balad from three different stateside bases: Crowell from Scott AFB, Ill.; Wieger from Travis AFB, Calif.; and Schuldheiss from Offutt AFB, Neb.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
