Soldiers honor slain
comrade from Pearl City

Memorial services recall a pair
of fathers killed in Afghanistan

The two Schofield Barracks soldiers killed in Afghanistan were remembered as "dedicated professionals" at a Friday memorial service held at a remote forward operating base.

Lt. Col. Terry Sellers, commanding officer of the 25th Division's 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Bobcats," described Sgt. Brian Hobbs and Spc. Kyle Kaeo Fernandez as "very good soldiers."

Sellers, in a phone interview from Afghanistan last night, said that Hobbs, of Mesa, Ariz.; and Fernandez, who is from Pearl City, were riding in a Humvee with three other soldiers Thursday afternoon and were part of a security convoy escorting supply trucks to the forward operating base when it struck a homemade bomb.

They had completed about two-thirds of the mission when Hobbs, 31; and Fernandez, 26, were killed.

Three other Bobcats were injured and are in stable condition at the Army Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Spc. Jeffrey Guerin and Sgt. 1st Class Helvert Iztuierdo suffered fractures to their legs and injuries to their eyes. Spc. Joey Vanegas suffered the most critical wounds when his leg from above the knee had to be amputated.

The bombing occurred just after 2 p.m. north of Deh Rahwod in Afghanistan's Uruzgan Province, which Sellers' battalion had assumed command of from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in July.

Since then, five Bobcat soldiers have been wounded and two were killed.

"In one seven-day period," Sellers added, "five vehicles were destroyed."

Sellers said the supply convoy that was attacked on Thursday consisted of six trucks.

Sellers, who assumed command of the battalion 29 months ago, said he knew both Hobbs and Fernandez very well.

Fernandez has been in the 25th Division since he enlisted in the Army in 2001, Sellers said.

"He was the biggest source of morale for his platoon," Sellers said. "He was upbeat all the time."

Shortly before his death, Hobbs was able to spend a long-awaited furlough in Arizona with his wife and three young children.

"His visit ended all too soon," said Pam Sarley, Hobbs' cousin-in-law. "He had only been back (in Afghanistan) about two weeks when he lost his life."

Sarley said yesterday, during a gathering for the soldier at the family's home in Mesa, Ariz., that Hobbs "was one of those rare individuals who truly loved his job."

The soldier got out of the Army in 1994 after three years. But in 1996 "he felt the call to return to active duty," Sarley said. Hobbs re-enlisted and was assigned to Schofield Barracks in 2001.

"His friends and family are very proud of him for the supreme sacrifice that he has made," Sarley said. "Brian had a compassionate heart. ... He possessed a strong faith and shared his faith whenever he could."

Hobbs was born in Mesa, Ariz., and lived there for much of his life. In 1991, he married his high school sweetheart, Jennifer. The two have three children together, ages 11, 9 and 3.

Fernandez, a 1996 graduate of Aiea High School, was also a father and husband. Family members said he left behind two young children, 4-year-old daughter Kyla and 1-year-old son Keahi.

"Kaeo was ... a real family man. He dedicated his life to his wife, Celeste, and children, Kyla and Keahi. They are what kept him going during his time in Afghanistan," Fernandez' sister, Kehau, said in a written statement released yesterday.

"Kaeo was the most selfless person I know. He was always worried about other people before himself. He would always write, 'Don't worry about me, I'm OK ... I'm the Hawaiian Supa Man.' We know he is in a better place now."

Fernandez enlisted in the Army three years ago, and friends said he was on Aiea's football team and also enjoyed surfing.

His sister said Fernandez also "loved being in the Army."

"My brother was a true hero. He sacrificed his life for his country and my family is so proud of him," she said. "We want everyone to know how special my brother is and never forget what he did for his country... My brother would be happy to know that so many people are thinking about him. We were blessed to have Kaeo in our lives and he will be missed very much."

Sellers said at Friday's memorial service held at Forward Operating Base Cobra he reminded his battalion that they are part of "a good mission" and asked them to stay focused on it.

A private prayer service will be held for Hobbs and Fernandez at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Schofield Barracks' main chapel.

Fernandez' survivors include his wife, children and parents. Services for Fernandez are tentatively set for Thursday at Borthwick Mortuary. A burial will be on Friday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe.

Hobbs is survived by wife Jennifer; three children, Brianna, Jacob and Josiah; parents Larry and Linda Hobbs; and sisters Lisa Renee and Andrea Marie. Services are pending.

Six Hawaii soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. All six were members of the 25th Infantry Division.

Fifteen soldiers from the islands have been killed in Iraq during the same time period, and 13 of the deaths were due to hostile action. Seven of those killed in Iraq were from Schofield's 25th Infantry Division.