The names of the dead and injured soldiers are being withheld pending notification of family members, the Army said. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

About 5,000 Schofield Barracks soldiers are at the sprawling desert base for large-scale exercises ahead of a July and August deployment to Iraq.

"The entire Army Hawai'i community is saddened by this loss," Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, the commander of the 25th Infantry Division, said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our soldiers."

Vehicle accidents are a frequent cause of injury and death in Iraq as a result of rollovers and collisions, and commanders routinely stress safety precautions.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.