News

USIS Washington File

09 August 1998

TEXT: DOD UPDATE ON NAIROBI, DAR ES SALAAM U.S. EMBASSY BOMBINGS

(Update on servicemembers killed, relief efforts) (470)



Washington -- The Defense Department said three of the 11 U.S.
citizens who died in the U.S. embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es
Salaam have been confirmed as members of the U.S. armed services: Army
Sergeant Kenneth R. Hobson, II, of Missouri; Air Force Senior Master
Sergeant Sherry Lynn Olds, of Florida; and Marine Sergeant Jesse N.
Aliganga, also of Florida.


The August 8 news release also noted that the Defense Department "is
providing logistics, transportation and medical support for the
overall relief effort." To date, DOD had sent or scheduled 14 flights.


Following is the text of the news release:



(Begin text)



News Release

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

(PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301



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.


(End text)