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Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29, of San Diego, and Pfc. Christopher A. Horns, 20, of Colorado Springs, Colo., were mortally wounded in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, according to the U.S. Special Operations Command.
Both were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Domeij, who was on his 14th deployment, enlisted in the Army in July 2001 after graduating from Rancho Bernardo High School.
His commanders called him irreplaceable.
“He was one of those men who was known by all as much for his humor, enthusiasm, and loyal friendship as he was for his unparalleled skill and bravery under fire,” 2nd battalion commander Lt. Col. David Hodne said. “This was a Ranger you wanted at your side when the chips were down.”
Domeij joined the 2nd Battalion at Lewis-McChord in April 2002, where he served as a forward observer. He also was one of the first Army-qualified Ranger Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, which is training typically reserved for Air Force members.
“His ability to employ fire support platforms made him a game changer on the battlefield – an operator who in real terms had the value of an entire strike force on the battlefield,” said Col. Mark W. Odom, the regiment’s commander.
Domeij is survived by his wife, Sarah, and daughters Mikajsa and Aaliyah of Lacey; his mother, Scoti Domeij of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and his brother, Kyle Domeij of San Diego.
Horns was on his first deployment to Afghanistan.
“Ultimately Pvt. 1st Class Christopher Horns represents everything which is great about the United States,” Odom said. “He placed his fellow Rangers, the regiment and his nation before everything else in life.”
Horns joined the Army in July 2010 and was assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment in March, where he served as an assistant machine gunner and automatic rifleman.
“Courageous and disciplined, he lost his life while pressing the assault in an area known for insurgent activity,” Hodne said. “He earned the universal respect of seniors and peers alike. We will honor his service and remember his sacrifice.”
Horns is survived by his parents, Larry and Tamara Horns, and his sister, Tiffany, of Colorado Springs.
Domeij and Horns are the third and fourth members of the unit to be killed in Afghanistan since September.
Spc. Ricardo Cerros Jr. of Salinas, Calif., died Oct. 8 when he attacked a group of insurgents in eastern Afghanistan’s Logar province. Sgt. Tyler Holtz of Dana Point, Calif., was killed Sept. 24 in an attack against insurgents in eastern Afghanistan’s Wardak province.
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