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Afghanistan claims another HAAF soldier
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Spc. Christopher Shane Wright - photo by Photo provided.
A soldier assigned to Hunter Army Airfield died Aug. 19 from wounds he sustained during a firefight with insurgents while deployed to Konar Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Christopher Shane Wright, 23, was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Wright was seriously wounded and was treated immediately by unit medical personnel. He was evacuated to the nearest treatment facility where he later died of his wounds.
Wright, a native of Tollesboro, Ky., enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2004. He served as a rifleman in Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash., and, later with Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Armor Calvary Regiment at Vilseck, Germany. Wright most recently served as a squad automatic weapons gunner in Company C, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield.
“Spc. Wright was the epitome of a Ranger — fierce warrior, incredibly competent, and dedicated to mission accomplishment. Spc. Wright died in a fire fight that ultimately killed three Taliban who were reportedly responsible for the death of two other U.S. servicemen,” said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Sgt. Martin Lugo, 24, of Hunter Army Airfield also died from wounds he sustained in the same attack.
Wright was on his third combat deployment. He previously deployed once to Afghanistan and once to Iraq.
“Spc. Wright was the epitome of a Ranger. He was an incredibly talented young man, who volunteered to serve his Nation in a time of war and ultimately gave his life in her defense,” said Lt. Col. Mike Foster, 1st Ranger Battalion commander. “His loss is felt across the entire battalion and our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family.”
He is survived by his father, James Cochran and stepmother, Michele Cochran of Tollesboro; and his mother, Linda Dennis of Jeffersonville, Ind.
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