February 22, 2002

The Department of Defense announced that the following Soldiers and Airmen are believed to have been on board the MH-47 aircraft that crashed at sea in the southern Philippines Thursday:

United States Army:

Maj. Curtis D. Feistner

Capt. Bartt D. Owens

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jody L. Egnor

Staff Sgt. James P. Dorrity

Staff Sgt. Kerry W. Frith

Staff Sgt. Bruce A. Rushforth, Jr.

Sgt. Jeremy D. Foshee

Spc. Thomas F. Allison

United States Air Force:

Master Sgt. William L. McDaniel II

Staff Sgt. Juan M. Ridout

The eight U.S. Army soldiers are members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky. The two U.S. Air Force airmen are assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan.

A final determination on the status of these individuals has not yet been made. Search and rescue efforts continue with the U.S. working closely with the Philippine navy and coast guard units. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Ends