5 soldiers killed in Afghan crash ID'd

The military on Monday identified the five paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division killed last week when their helicopter crashed in Afghanistan.

They were Chief Warrant Officer Christopher M. Allgaier, 33, of Omaha, Neb.; Staff Sgt. Charlie L. Bagwell, 28, of Lake Toxaway, N.C.; Sgt. Jesse A. Blamires, 25, of West Jordan, Utah; Sgt. Brandon E. Hadaway, 25, of Valley, Ala.; and Chief Warrant Officer Joshua R. Rodgers, 29, of Carson City, Nev.

All were members of the 3rd General Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, and were based at Fort Bragg.

U.S. military officials have said that initial reports suggested the CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade, but that enemy fire was one of several possible reasons for the crash in volatile Helmand province. A Briton and a Canadian were also killed.

"Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten, and we will honor them by continuing our commitment to supporting the Afghan people and government while fighting the War on Terror," Army Col. Kelly Thomas, the brigade's commander, said in a statement.

The military had listed Allgaier's hometown as Middleton, Mo., but his wife said he was from Omaha, Neb.