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http://www.mnf-iraq.com/

June 19, 2006
Release A060619d

MNF-I spokesman provides update on missing Soldiers

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Multi-National Force-Iraq Spokesman Maj. Gen. William
B. Caldwell, gave the following statement June 19 concerning the two
Coalition Soldiers listed as duty status and whereabouts unknown:

"As you know, the search continues in earnest for two Coalition force
Soldiers currently listed as duty status and whereabouts unknown
after their security element came under attack at a traffic control
point south of Yusifiyah , Iraq , at approximately 7:55 p.m. local
time, Friday, June 16th. During this engagement, a third Soldier,
Spc. David J. Babineau, age 25, of Springfield , Mass. , sadly lost
his life in the service of his country.

"The two Soldiers reported as duty status and whereabouts unknown are
Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston, Texas , and Pfc. Thomas L.
Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore.

"All three Soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 502nd
Infantry Regiment of 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort
Campbell , Ky.

"Words cannot express the sadness we feel at the loss of Spc.
Babineau and the uncertainty the families of Pfc. Menchaca and Pfc.
Tucker must be experiencing. Our deepest sympathy goes out to their
families.

"Over 8,000 U.S. Military and Iraqi army and police are working
together, conducting an intensive search operation to determine the
status of these Soldiers. We are using every means at our disposal.

"While searching for our Soldiers, we have engaged in a number of
significant actions against the anti-Iraqi forces. The specifics of
these operations currently available for release are as follows:
three anti-Iraqi forces killed in action; 34 detainees taken into
custody; 63 tips received, to include 12 cordon and search operations
based on actionable intelligence; eight air assault operations; 280
flight hours flown.

"United States Navy and Air Force assets in support include fixed
wing fighter attack aircraft providing armed tactical overwatch; E-8
Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or JSTARS, as well as
Predator unmanned aerial vehicles; three dive teams from Para Rescue
Jumpers; along with national assets of varying types supporting our
efforts.

"We have surged intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
platforms and employed planes, boats, helicopters and UAVs to ensure
the most thorough search possible on the ground, in the air and in
the water.

"Approximately 12 Villages have been cleared in the area, and we
continue to engage local citizens for help and information leading to
the whereabouts of our Soldiers.

"Seven U.S. service members have been wounded in action during these
search operations since Friday night.

"We are using all available assets, Coalition and Iraqi, to find our
Soldiers and will not stop looking until we find them. We will never
stop looking for our service members until their status is
definitively determined. We continue to pray for their safe return
and also ask for you to keep the families and friends of our missing
Soldiers in your hearts and minds, maintaining respect for their
privacy during this extremely difficult time."