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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, October 3, 2009

Marine killed in training


Advertiser Staff

A Kane'ohe-based Marine was killed and another seriously injured Wednesday when their vehicle rolled over during training at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Pfc. Zachary D. Tenbrook, 21, died of injuries sustained when his medium tactical vehicle replacement, a type of flat-bed truck, rolled over, said a news release yesterday from Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kane'ohe Bay.

Lance Cpl. Christopher D. Mullen, 24, was taken in critical condition to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Calif. He was listed in stable condition yesterday.

Tenbrook, of Middlebury, Ind., was pronounced dead at Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms. He was from 3rd Supply Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, Okinawa, Japan, and was assigned as an individual augment ammunition technician to Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

"The guy was a heavy lifter, a hard worker," said Lt. Col. James Baker, commanding officer of the 1/3 Marines. "The ammo techs in the battalion are making it possible for the Marines here to train hard" during the Enhanced Mojave Viper exercise by quickly supplying the ammunition needed during the realistic, live-fire exercises.

"No doubt the 1,350 members of Task Force 1/3 are feeling the loss of this Marine and are looking forward to returning to their families," Baker said.

The incident occurred during a monthlong combined arms training exercise the Kane'ohe Marines are attending in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Enhanced Mojave Viper is the last and most arduous portion of the battalion's pre-deployment training.

This incident is under investigation. Details of a memorial service for Tenbrook have not yet been determined.