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Man who lived in Jacksonville Beach named as 1 of 7 airmen killed in crash in Iraq

A 36-year-old master sergeant originally from Jacksonville Beach was identified as one of seven airmen who died this week in a helicopter crash in Iraq, according to the Associated Press.

A 36-year-old master sergeant originally from Jacksonville Beach was identified as one of seven airmen who died this week in a helicopter crash in Iraq, according to the Associated Press.

William R. Posch, 36, of Indialantic, Florida. died along with six other airmen Thursday when their helicopter crashed in western Iraq.

Several people on Facebook have shared tributes to Posch, whose Facebook profile states he's originally from or has lived in Jacksonville Beach.

The Defense Department has released the names of seven airmen who were killed Thursday when an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Those who were killed include Capt. Mark K. Weber, 29, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

Governor Scott said, “The loss of Master Sgt. William R. Posch, Staff Sgt. Carl Enis and their fellow armed service members is devastating. The deaths of these brave men serve as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and commitment made by our nation’s military to secure and protect the freedom we all cherish as Americans. Ann and I know Staff Sgt. Enis’ family personally, and we grieve with them today. I ask that every Floridian pause to remember Master Sgt. William R. Posch and Staff Sgt. Enis and all of those lost in this tragedy.”

Four of the airmen were assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing at the Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, New York:

-Capt. Andreas B. O'Keeffe, 37, of Center Moriches, New York.

-Capt. Christopher T. Zanetis, 37, of Long Island City, New York.

-Master Sgt. Christopher J. Raguso, 39, of Commack, New York.

-Staff Sgt. Dashan J. Briggs, 30, of Port Jefferson Station, New York.

Two were assigned to the 308th Rescue Squadron, Air Force Reserve, at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida:

-Master Sgt. William R. Posch, 36, of Indialantic, Florida.

-Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis, 31, of Tallahassee, Florida.

Officials have said there were no indications the helicopter had been shot down. In their initial statements, officials said the helicopter, which is used by the Air Force for combat search and rescue, was in transit when it went down Thursday afternoon near the town of Qaim in Anbar Province.

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