Three sailors from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island were killed in combat in Iraq on Friday, the Department of Defense announced today.

The Department of Defense identified the sailors as Chief Petty Officer Gregory J. Billiter, 36, of Villa Hills, Ky., Petty Officer 2nd Class Curtis R. Hall, 24, of Burley, Idaho, and Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph A. McSween, 26, of Valdosta, Ga.

In a news release issued Monday, April 9, the Department of Defense said the three sailors “died April 6 from enemy action while conducting combat operations near Kirkuk, Iraq.”

The three sailors were the first from the Oak Harbor Navy base killed in the war since it began more than four years ago. The sailors were all assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 11 at NAS Whidbey.