News

News Release

No. 423-98
(703)695-0192(media)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 1998 (703)697-5737(public/industry)

DOD UPDATE ON U.S EMBASSY BOMBINGS IN NAIROBI AND DAR ES SALAAM

Of the eleven U.S. citizens who died in the bombings at Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, three have been confirmed as servicemembers:

Army Sgt. Kenneth R. Hobson, II, of Nevada, Mo., was assigned to the U.S. Army Defense Attache, Kenya, as an administrative assistant. Hobson, 27, is survived by his wife, Deborah, one daughter, and his parents, Kenneth R. and Bonnie Sue, of Lamar, Mo.

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Sherry Lynn Olds, of Panama City, Fla., was assigned to the Air Force Security Element, U.S. Central Command, Nairobi, Kenya. Olds, 40, is survived by her parents Delbert and Mary Olds, of Panama City, Fla.

Marine Sgt Jesse N. Aliganga, of Tallahassee, Fla., was assigned to the Marine Security Unit, U.S. Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya. Aliganga, 21, is survived by his mother Clara L. Aliganga, of Tallahassee, Fla.

One Marine sergeant in Nairobi was injured, treated and released. A Marine sergeant's wife who works in the embassy at Dar es Salaam was slightly injured in the blast.

The Department of Defense at the request of the U.S. State Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation is providing logistics, transportation and medical support for the overall relief effort. Beginning with the first military flight of critical care medical and security assistance, loaded and launched within 9 hours of the incident, the Department has sent or scheduled 14 flights, carrying:

36 military medical personnel

more than 360 units of whole blood

more than 100 security personnel including two 50-man Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Teams

more than 150,000 lbs. of equipment and medical supplies

more than 60 Fairfax County, Va., firefighters with their search and rescue tools and equipment as well as search and rescue dogs

The Department continues to work closely with all concerned Federal agencies to provide needed support as requested.