RICHMOND, VA - Maj Gen Robert B. Newman, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia confirmed that two Virginia Army Guardsmen supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom were killed on January 20, 2007. Gen Newman said that Col Paul M. Kelly of Stafford, Va. and Staff Sgt Darryl D. Booker, of Midlothian, Va. were among 12 Soldiers killed when the Black Hawk helicopter they were flying in crashed northeast of Baghdad. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Gen Newman said “All Virginia Guardsmen are saddened by the terrible loss of these brave Soldiers. Col Kelly and Staff Sgt Booker understood the dangers facing our nation and were fully prepared to do whatever was necessary to protect this country and Commonwealth. I know that I speak for all of the citizens of Virginia when I say that we owe these Guardsmen and their families immeasurable gratitude.”

Gen Newman went on to say Col Kelly’s and Staff Sgt Booker’s family and loved ones will be the first priority for the Virginia National Guard. Gen Newman said the Virginia National Guard will stand with and support those that are affected by this tragic loss. Gen Newman asked that Virginia Army and Air Guardsmen and the citizens of the Commonwealth keep Col Kelly’s and Staff Sgt Booker’s loved ones in their prayers.

Col Kelly was assigned to Joint Force Headquarters – Virginia with duty at the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Va. Col Kelly served as the battalion commander for the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation, Virginia Army National Guard, when the unit deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sept. 2001.

Staff Sgt Booker was assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, Virginia Army National Guard and worked as a full time employee at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Va. Staff Sgt Booker had also deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina with the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation in Sept. 2001 as well as served on an earlier deployment to Iraq.

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