Soldier Killed During Live-Fire Drills

Team Infidel

Forum Spin Doctor
Lexington (KY) Herald Leader
April 19, 2007
By Associated Press
FORT CAMPBELL -- A 101st Airborne Division soldier died early yesterday after being hit by small arms fire during a nighttime live-fire exercise at Fort Campbell, the Army said.
The soldier was taken to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital where he died of his wounds about 4 a.m. CDT, a statement from Fort Campbell said.
The soldier's name wasn't released because his family had not yet been notified. The soldier was assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team at the sprawling Army post on the Kentucky-Tennessee state line.
Nighttime drills with live ammunition are performed to give soldiers more familiarity with their weapons in dark conditions, said Kelly Tyler, a spokeswoman at the Army post.
"They're called to go on patrols at all hours, so they need to be familiar with their equipment and operating in low-light situations," Tyler said.
Tyler said soldiers performing the drills are required to wear Kevlar vests and helmets. Tyler said she didn't know what kinds of weapons injured the soldier.
The death is under investigation by military officials.
A military rule prevents officials from releasing casualty information for a 24-hour period after the family is notified, Tyler said.
The last Fort Campbell soldier to be killed in a similar circumstance was in July 2005, when Pfc. Gregory B. Wertz, 19, of Napoleon, Ohio, was fatally shot while training with the 2nd Brigade Combat team on how to clear buildings of enemy insurgents.
 
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