FORT CARSON, COLO. -- Fort Carson officials said two of their own died in Afghanistan over the weekend.
Officials said Sgt. Christopher Birdwell, who had been stationed at the Colorado Springs-area base for more than three years and is a Windsor, Colo. native, died Sunday. Baker City, Ore. native Spc. Mabry Anders also died.
Birdwell had been in the Army since 2006 and arrived at Fort Carson May 23, 2009. He had been on two previous deployments to Afghanistan (2007 and 2010) prior to his current one in 2012, where he had been since March.
Birdwell achieved more than 20 awards for his service since enlisting and was serving as a combat engineer for the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
He was 25 years old.
Anders had been in the Army since 2010 and joined Fort Carson 13 months ago. He served with Birdwell in the 4th Special Troops Battalion and earned more than 10 awards for his service since enlisting.
Anders was 21.