Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died Nov. 1, in Paktia province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, Tulsa, Okla.

Killed were:

Sgt. Christopher D. Gailey, 26, of Ochelata, Okla.; and

Pfc. Sarina N. Butcher, 19, of Checotah, Okla.

For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Oklahoma National Guard at 405-228-5212 or 918-381-1173.

UPDATE:  Nov. 3, 2011 -- Spc. Gailey was posthumously promoted to sergeant.