HAYS, Kan. (AP) A Kansas soldier who died when the helicopter he was flying was shot down in Afghanistan will be memorialized this week in his hometown of Hays.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nichols was among 30 U.S. troops killed Aug. 6 in the crash of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
The 31-year-old pilot grew up in Hays and graduated from Thomas More Prep-Marian High School. The Hays Daily News reports the funeral will be held Friday morning in the school’s fieldhouse.
Nichols and his family lived in Kansas City, Mo. He served with the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment based at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kan.
Two other reservists from the unit 23-year-old Spc. Alexander Bennett, of Overland Park, and 21-year-old Spc. Spencer Duncan, of Olathe also died in the crash.
