Three N.C. based soldiers killed

FORT BRAGG The military says 38-year-old Major Jason George and 28-year-old First Lieutenant Leevi Barnard died after their unit was attacked by enemy forces using explosive devices on Thursday near Baghdad.

Both were assigned to the 252nd Combined Arms Battalion in Fayetteville. Barnard is a native of Mount Airy.

A third soldier, 38-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Brent Cole, was killed Friday when his helicopter went down in Tarin Kwot, Afghanistan. The West Virginia native was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg.

Authorities say both incidents are under investigation.