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<br /> <br />Wil Okabe <br /> <br />Managing Director <br /> <br /> <br />Harry Kim <br />Mayor <br /> <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br /> Deputy Managing Director <br /> <br />County of Hawai‘i <br />Office of the Mayor <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />November 21, 2019 <br /> <br />NEWS RELEASE <br /> <br />Mayor Kim Expresses Condolences to Family of Hawai‘i Soldier Killed in <br />Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan <br /> <br />Mayor Harry Kim expressed condolences to the family and loved ones of Chief Warrant <br />Officer 2 Kirk T. Fuchigami, a U.S. Army soldier from Kea'au killed on November 20 in a <br />helicopter crash in Afghanistan. <br /> <br />Fuchigami, 25, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 David C. Knadle, from Tarrant, Texas, 33, <br />died in the crash in Logar Province while providing security for troops on the ground as <br />part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, according to news reports. <br /> <br />“There is such an emptiness and deep sadness of hearing of the loss of a son of <br />Hawai‘i, especially in war,” Mayor Kim said. “I ask for a prayer of support and love for <br />his family and friends.” <br /> <br />The Department of Defense provided this background information on Fuchigami: <br />“Fuchigami, whose home of record is listed as Keaau, Hawaii, was assigned to 1st <br />Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort <br />Hood, Texas. He entered active duty in May 2017 and following his initial training, he <br />was assigned to 1-227th in October 2018 where he served as an Apache Helicopter <br />pilot. Fuchigami’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, <br />National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, <br />Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge <br />and Army Aviator Badge.” <br /> <br />According to the Department of Defense, Fuchigami deployed to Afghanistan in October <br />2019. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br /> <br />