(February 12, 2007)-- Sgt. James R. Tijerina, 26, of Beasley, Texas was one of the five Marines who died Wednesday in the crash of a Marine Sea Knight transport helicopter during combat operations in Iraq’s Anbar Province.

Tijerina was assigned to the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Capt. Jennifer J. Harris, 28, of Swampscott, Mass., 1st Lt. Jared M. Landaker, 25, of Big Bear City, Calif.,
Sgt. Travis D. Pfister, 27, of Richland, Wash. and Cpl. Thomas E. Saba, 30, of Toms River, N.J. also died in the crash.

Earlier the military said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gilbert Minjares Jr., 31, of El Paso and Petty Officer 3rd Class Manuel A. Ruiz, 21, of Federalsburg, Md were also killed in the crash.

Minjares was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, from Cherry Point, N.C.,

The Marine Corps says it doesn't believe the chopper was shot down, but an Iraqi air force officer said it was.

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