Afghan bomb kills Big Red One soldiers

FORT RILEY, Kan. - Two soldiers from the Army’s 1st Infantry Division based at Fort Riley, Kan., were killed Wednesday, Aug. 1, in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

The two are Pfc. Jesus Jonathan Lopez, age 22, a native of San Bernardino, Calif., and 1st Lt. Todd Lambka, age 25, a native of Fraser, Mich. This was the first deployment for both soldiers.

Lopez joined the Army in May 2011 and arrived at Fort Riley in August of that year. His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one campaign star. Lambka was commissioned in May 2010 from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He arrived at Fort Riley in November. His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one campaign star.

The 1st Infantry Division is known colloquially as "The Big Red One."