European briefs:

[unhappycamper]

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60627

Death of 172nd soldier probed
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Defense Department has identified a 172nd Infantry Brigade soldier who died Friday in Kirkush, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a noncombat incident.

Spc. Christopher P. Sweet, 28, of Kahului, Hawaii, died 2½ months into a yearlong mission to Iraq with 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, according to the Pentagon statement.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, the statement said.

Capt. Justin Wegner, 172nd Rear Detachment executive officer, said Tuesday the death is the first suffered since the unit deployed to Iraq in late November.

A memorial ceremony to honor Sweet will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Grafenwöhr Chapel in Germany.



Airman guilty of abusing wife

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany —An airman with the 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron was found guilty in a court-martial last week of hitting his wife in the face with his fist, according to information provided by the base legal office.

In a special court-martial, a military jury convicted Airman 1st Class Hector F. Perez-Orellana of one count of assault consummated by battery. As punishment, he was reduced in rank to E-2 and ordered to forfeit $750 per month in pay for two months. He also was restricted to Ramstein Air Base for two months.


Articles at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60627