The Pentagon late on April 4 identified SSgt. Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Del., as the US Air Force airman killed around noon Baghdad time April 3 when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Griffin had deployed to the Multinational Force Division-Baghdad from the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M. According to a Multinational Force-Iraq release, the airman was on patrol in Baghdad at the time of the IED attack.
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