The U.S. servicemember killed in the Monday crash of an Iraqi army helicopter has been identified as an airman who worked with the U.S. command training Iraqi security forces.

According to the Pentagon, Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Frost, 24, of Waukesha, Wis., died when the helicopter crashed near Beiji, Iraq.Frost was deployed from the 377th Air Base Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., where he worked as a public affairs officer, officials said.

While the crash is still under investigation, Iraqi and U.S. officials said the Iraqi Mi-17 helicopter crashed in a dust storm.

Officials in Iraq said Frost was on a mission reporting on the training of the Iraqi air force when the crash occurred.

The other seven on board were members of the Iraqi air force, according to a statement issued by Kirtland. All aboard were killed.

Frost had been in Iraq since September, Kirtland officials said. He had been assigned to Kirtland since July 2005.

Frost’s grandmother, reached by The Associated Press at home Wednesday, said it was too early for her to discuss the death.

“It’s just too difficult,” Mary Frost said. “It just makes me feel worse than I already do.”

Memorials are planned at Kirtland and in Iraq, officials said.

“Staff Sgt. Frost was motivated by the work he was doing in Iraq. He was excited about the opportunity he had to cover the story of the Iraqi air force,” Kirtland installation commander Col. Robert Suminbsy said in a statement.

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