ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Army News Service July 13, 2005) -Former Army World Class Athlete Program baseball pitcher Maj. Steve Reich, one of 16 servicemen killed June 28 when an MH-47D Chinook helicopter was shot down by enemy fire in eastern Afghanistan, was one of dozens of WCAP Soldiers waging the War on Terrorism.

Reich was one of eight members of the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, who, along with eight Navy SEALS, were aboard the chopper that crashed in the mountains near Pakistan’s border during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was serving his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan.

July 12, 2005

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Army News Service, July 12, 2005) – Four Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters performed a missing man flyover during a July 11 memorial service in Oahu for five Navy SEALs killed in Afghanistan.

The four Black Hawk helicopters from the 225th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division-Light at Wheeler Army Airfield performed their flyover during the memorial service which was held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- A memorial service was held July 11 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, for five Sailors assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team (SDVT) 1, Pearl Harbor, who were killed while conducting combat and counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan.

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“Our SEALs who died in Afghanistan bravely and unselfishly answered the nation’s call to defend freedom and protect America and its allies from terrorism,” said Rear Adm. Joseph Maguire, commander, Naval Special Warfare Command. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families at this very difficult time. On behalf of the entire Naval Special Warfare and Special Operations communities, we want them to know that their loved ones did not die in vain. The loss of these brave warriors will only strengthen our resolve for ultimate victory in the global war on terror.”