Firefighter dies during rescue attempt in Iraq

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DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  A firefighter from here was killed Feb. 13 while on a rescue mission in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel, 29, died while attempting to rescue two Soldiers trapped in a Humvee that overturned in a canal. He was deployed to an Air Force unit operating out of Balad Air Base, Iraq.

He was permanently assigned to the 7th Civil Engineer Squadron and was a native of San Antonio. He arrived here in September 2002 and had been on active duty since September 1994.

“All of Team Dyess mourns the loss of one of our own. Sergeant Rangel died courageously attempting to rescue others. While we grieve for him and his family, we are at the same time filled with pride and gratitude for his heroism. He will be missed, but others will honor his sacrifice by carrying on the fight with the same courage he displayed,” said Col. Garrett Harencak, 7th Bomb Wing commander.