WASHINGTON (AP) – The Department of Defense is identifying four of the nine American troops killed in the worst coalition helicopter crash in Afghanistan in four years.

The military announced Wednesday that the four sailors were killed in the crash during combat operations a day earlier.

They are identified as 29-year-old Lt. Brendan Looney of Owings, Md., 30-year-old Senior Chief Petty Officer David McLendon of Thomasville, Ga., 26-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Smith of Hurland, Mo. and 24-year-old Petty Officer 3rd Class Denis Miranda of Toms River, N.J.
McLendon was assigned to a Naval Special Warfare unit. Looney, Smith and Miranda were assigned to SEAL teams.

Five members of the Fort Campbell, Ky.-based 101st Combat Aviation Brigade were also killed, but have not been named yet.

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