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Search continues for missing Stryker soldier, pilots

Jan-28-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

Michael Gilbert; The News Tribune has posted another short update.

MOSUL, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi teams Tuesday continued their search for a Stryker brigade soldier and two helicopter pilots missing in the Tigris River since Sunday.

Officials said they would return to the river today with U.S. Navy divers, Iraqi police and Army engineers with river boats.

Missing are Staff Sgt. Christopher Bunda, 29, a squad leader with the Fort Lewis brigade's 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, and Lt. Adam Mooney, 28, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Patrick Dorf, 32, both pilots with the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment.

The squadron, from Fort Drum, N.Y., is attached to the Stryker brigade to provide aviation support for its missions in Iraq.

Bunda was one of three 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry soldiers aboard an Iraqi police boat that capsized Sunday afternoon. The other two were rescued, as was their interpreter. One Iraqi policeman drowned, and at least two others are missing with Bunda.

Mooney and Dorf were lost after their OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter crashed into the river as they searched for the missing soldier and policemen.

The crash is under investigation, but officials said it appeared the aircraft struck lines suspended across the river.


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