Three Hawaii-based Marines were killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb while supporting combat operations in Farah province, the military said Friday.
The Department of Defense on Friday identified the three killed Thursday as Sgt. Jay M. Hoskins, 24, of Paris, Texas; Lance Cpl. James D. Argentine, 22, of Farmingdale, N.Y.; and Lance Cpl. Travis T. Babine, 20, of San Antonio.
Sergeant Hoskins graduated from North Lamar High School in Paris in 2003. He joined the Marine Corps in August 2003 and reported to Hawaii in January.
The three riflemen were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.
About 1,000 Hawaii Marines with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment arrived in Helmand and Farah provinces in late May as part of a surge of 21,000 U.S. troops sent by President Obama.