Islamic State of Iraq video attempts to exploit Air Force major's death

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SOUTHWEST ASIA: Recent news reports stated that the Islamic State of Iraq terrorist organization is releasing a video on Maj. Troy Gilbert's death.

Major Gilbert was killed Nov. 27, 2006, when his F-16C crashed while he was supporting Coalition ground combat operations approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad.

He was positively identified and classified as killed in action through DNA analysis by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. The identification was made from human remains recovered from the crash site. His body was removed from the crash site by anti-Coalition personnel before U.S. forces could arrive to secure the area.

“We are aware of the attempts by anti-Coalition forces to exploit Major Gilbert's death. It is appalling and cowardly that they did not treat his remains with the respect deserved of an honorable warrior,” said Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander, United States Central Command Air Forces.

Major Gilbert was assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and was deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq, at the time of his death.