Photo gallery: 3 Fort Stewart soldiers killed in Afghan blast

U.S. military officials say three Fort Stewart soldiers were killed by a bomb blast in Afghanistan.

The Defense Department on Thursday identified the slain soldiers as:

■ 25-year-old 1st Lt. Jonam Russell of Cornville, Ariz.

■ 24-year-old Sgt. Stefan M. Smith of Glenville, Ga.

■ 24-year-old Spc. Rob L. Nichols of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Military officials say all three were killed Tuesday by a roadside bomb in the town of Soltan Kheyl.

Fort Stewart officials say the soldiers’ unit deployed in March and is due to return to the U.S. in November.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer ordered that flags at state buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset Thursday to honor Russell and again the day when he is interred.

She said Russell’s death was a sobering reminder of the daily perils that military personnel face while carrying out their duties.

Russell is a graduate of Arizona State University.