By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – 2 Oklahoma soldiers killed in Afghanistan
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Two Oklahoma soldiers have been killed in combat.
The U.S. Department of Defense announced Wednesday that 19-year-old Pfc. Sarina Butcher of Checotah and 26-year-old Spc. Christopher Gailey of Ochelata died Tuesday when their vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan's Paktia province.
The Oklahoma National Guard says Butcher is the first female Guard soldier to be killed during wartime and the youngest Guard member to die in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
She and Gailey were assigned to the 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross says Butcher's daughter and mother live in El Dorado, Arkansas. Ross called Butcher a brave and dedicated soldier.
Caney Valley High School Principal Debra Keil says Gailey was well-liked when he attended school there.