The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Gary L. Collins, 32, of Hardin, Texas, was killed on Nov. 8, in Fallujah, Iraq. Collins was riding in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when it hit an improvised explosive device. The soldier died of his injuries. Collins was assigned to 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kan.

Sgt. Nicholas A. Tomko, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was killed on Nov. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq. Tomko was the door gunner in a convoy vehicle when his team came under small arms attack. The soldier died of his injuries. Tomko was assigned to the 307th Military Police Company, U.S. Army Reserve, New Kensington, Pa.

The incident is under investigation.