3 from Fort Carson killed in Afghan suicide bombing

FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) — Military officials said an Air Force major, along with two Army leaders, were among the victims of an insurgent’s suicide bombing in Afghanistan.

The Defense Department said Thursday that Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, 38, died Wednesday after the bomb attack in Kunar Province. Also killed were Army Maj. Thomas Kennedy, 35, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Griffin., 45.

The DOD said the men were killed when an insurgent detonated a vest of explosives.

Gray was a native of Conyers, Ga., Kennedy hailed from West Point, N.Y., and Griffin grew up in Laramie, Wyo.

Kennedy and Griffin were assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson. Gray was assigned to the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron based at Fort Carson. The main headquarters of that unit, the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing, is based at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

“Maj. Gray’s ultimate sacrifice is a tragic loss,” said Col. Samuel Milam, the wing commander. “He was a tremendous officer and leader. Our most heartfelt sympathies are with the Gray family and the airmen of the 13th ASOS during this difficult time.”

Gray was an air liasion officer deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His unit is responsible for directing air support into ground operations.

The two Army officers both were veterans and highly decorated. Griffin served for 24 years in Afghanistan, Iraq, The Balkans and Kuwait. He earned five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

Kennedy was a 12-year veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, earning three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He only deployed to Afghanistan in late June.

Melanie Boling said her fiance’ was with the fallen soldiers on patrol. She said seven of the 15-member patrol were injured in the bombing and taken to Germany for medical treatment.