Hemet Marine killed in Iraq copter crash

CASUALTY: The sergeant was on his third Gulf tour, with just 28 days left before coming home.

10:00 PM PST on Tuesday, February 13, 2007

By KENNY KLEIN
The Press-Enterprise

HEMET - A Marine who moved to Hemet and planned to settle here and raise a family was one of seven men killed in a helicopter crash Feb. 7 in Iraq.

Sgt. Travis D. Pfister is the sixth military man with Hemet ties to be killed in the war.

Pfister, 27, was stationed at nearby Camp Pendleton and lived in Hemet with his wife Jessica, 27, and their dog, Bruin. He was a member of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, the Purple Foxes. 1st Lt. Jared M. Landaker, the pilot, of Big Bear City, also died in the crash.

Travis Pfister was the CH-46 helicopter's crew chief and .50-caliber machine-gunner and helped rescue wounded and other combat Marines in trouble. Later this week, Pfister's body will be accompanied back home by his best friend, Staff Sgt. Chip Jacoby, Jessica Pfister said.

"Every time I worried about him, he'd say, 'Baby, the crew chief never dies,'" she recalled. She also is a Marine sergeant and recruiter.

Jessica Pfister said her husband of five years would not want her to cry. "Now, I plan to re-enlist to make him proud," she said.

Travis Pfister, who was born in Richland, Wash., and joined the Marines in 1999, was on his third tour in Iraq and had just 28 days before he would return home to Hemet, where the couple had lived for more than a year, his wife said. They le planned on starting a family and settling in the San Jacinto Valley, she said.

"Travis was very passionate about his job," his wife said. "He believed in his country and the Marine Corps. He wanted to be there (Iraq). The love for what he did was understood by all, because he led by example and his heart."

Jessica Pfister said her husband died as a "true hero," performing his duties as a Marine.

"I'm not mad at America, and I'm not mad at the military," she said. "He was where he wanted to be."

Jessica Pfister said she met her husband at a party in 1999 at Camp Pendleton.

"I never thought I'd marry a Marine, but he was the most genuine man I've ever met," she said.

Travis Pfister's nickname was Lunchbox, because he ate anything and everything "and a lot of it," his wife said.

Pfister, known to friends as a great storyteller and an avid sword collector, enjoyed practical jokes and making funny videos, she remembered.

"That's why God took him. They needed a comedian in heaven," she said.

"Travis never judged anybody for anything and accepted everybody no matter what," family friend Beth Jacoby said. "Nothing bothered him."

Reach Kenny Klein at 951-763-3466 or kklein@PE.com

© 2007 Press-Enterprise Company

U.S.: Crashed Copter Was Shot Down in Iraq
By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer
12:16 AM PST, February 14, 2007

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A Sea Knight helicopter that crashed last week northwest of Baghdad was shot down, the U.S. military said Wednesday, reversing earlier statements that it appeared to have been due to mechanical failure.

The Marine CH-46 troop transport went down northwest of Baghdad on Feb. 7, killing all seven people on board, and an al-Qaida-linked Sunni group claimed responsibility and aired a video.

Military officials initially said they believed the crash was due to mechanical failure, but the military announced Wednesday that an investigation showed the crash was "the result of anti-aircraft munitions."

"Initial evidence indicated that the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter went down as a result of mechanical failure. After further investigation using all available means, the cause of the incident has been confirmed to be hostile fire," said Maj. Jeff Pool, a spokesman for the Multi National Force -- West.

The statement said the pilots of an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter escorting the Sea Knight did not witness the actual attack, but they saw the fire, descent and subsequent crash. The initial signs resembled fires that have occurred aboard CH-46s experiencing mechanical difficulties in the past, it added.

The military also said the crash site had been cleared with explosives after the remains and equipment were removed "to ensure the enemy could yield no gain from the debris."

At least seven U.S. helicopters have crashed or been forced down under hostile fire since Jan. 20. In the wake of the recent crashes, U.S. officials have said they were reviewing flight operations and tactics but maintain there is no evidence of sophisticated new weapons used in any of the latest attacks.

Wednesday's statement raised to five that were known to have been shot down. Two private security company helicopters also have crashed but the cause was unclear.

The military statement declined to comment on insurgents weapons' capabilities or tactics to counter them, citing security concerns.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these fallen service members," Pool said. "All available resources are dedicated to eliminating the threat to our aircraft so that we can continue to provide the support our ground forces."

The Islamic State in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iraqi insurgent groups that includes al-Qaida in Iraq, claimed responsibility for downing the helicopter and issued an Internet video on Feb. 9 it said was proof. The group also claimed the recent downings of two other U.S. helicopters.

The two-minute video showed a helicopter that appears to be a Sea Knight flying. An object trailing smoke is seen in the sky nearby, then the craft bursts into orange and red flames, with a spray of debris emerging from it.

The Iraqis are DEFENDING themselves. What would you do?

Everyone should see the documentary “Terror Storm” by Alex Jones. It exposes Government sponsored terrorism, False Flag Operations, the Pro-War Zionist Media and The New World Order. The website is http://www.infowars.com

Alex Jones has agreed to let everyone see “Terror Storm” under not for profit and for educational purposes free of charge. Jones should be commended for exposing the New World Order on such a large scale.

Terror Storm can be viewed on-line here… http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=12638

What is a False Flag? …Committing an atrocious act and then blaming it on another party or nation. The point is to turn public opinion against an entity and have someone else fight your battles for you.

Will America demand that Israel surrender its illegal nuclear weapons and other WMDs before it can detonate one in the United States under another False Flag Operation?

Sign the Petition Opposing An Attack on Iran! http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/iran

Join us in the streets and halls of Congress as we protest war and occupation! Sign up for the political action alerts at http://www.answercoalition.org and http://www.unitedforpeace.org

What CNN and FOX would rather you not see or know anything about… http://www.robert-fisk.com/iraqwarvictims_mar2003.htm

02/14/2007 GAAS:129:07 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of Three Camp Pendleton Marines: Capt. Jennifer J. Harris, Sgt. Travis D. Pfister and Sgt. James R. Tijerina

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the deaths of Capt. Jennifer J. Harris of Swampscott, MA, Sgt. Travis D. Pfister of Richland, WA and Sgt. James R. Tijerina of Beasley, TX.

“The noble sacrifices of Captain Harris, Sergeant Pfister and Sergeant Tijerina serve as a reminder of the tremendous cost of our freedom. Maria and I join all Californians in expressing our gratitude for these Marines’ ultimate acts of selflessness. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jennifer’s, Travis’ and James’ families and will keep them in our prayers.”

Harris, 28, Pfister, 27, and Tijerina, 26, died Feb. 7 as a result of injuries sustained when the helicopter they were flying in crashed while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. They were all was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.

In honor of Capt. Harris, Sgt. Pfister and Sgt. Tijerina, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

© 2006 State of California

Obviously, the Iraqis are using increasingly successful anti helicopter munitions and like the Soviets in Afghanistan the American forces are being shredded by a determined resistance.
God help these sacrificial offerings from mammon.
Bring our countrymen and women home. Now.
A curse upon the dealers of death to endure the fruits of their banal greed.

BUSH : "Sorry to Oil the Post 9-11 Azores Summit, the Post 9-11 Downing Street Memo, the Post 9-11 Forged Niger Uranium Document, the Post 9-11 Phoney Saddam Al CIAda Links, the Carpet Bombings of Iraqi Civilians, the Iraq Massacures, 'The Salvador Option' in Iraq, the Flag Draped Coffins, the Lost Limbs, the Delayed Stress Syndrome, the Post 9-11 Price Gouging at the Gas Pumps, and the Record Profits for Big Energy but Oil comes First. FILL HER UP ?????????"

We all should live our days as full as Travis had. He shall be remembered not for what he was but for who he was. You will be missed. Joshua Pfister (brother)

We all should live our days as full as Travis had. He shall be remembered not for what he was but for who he was. You will be missed. Joshua Pfister (brother)