"The 85 brave US service members killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom remind us of the heavy price we often pay for freedom," said General Richard Myers, chairman of the US military's joint chiefs of staff.

Among them were two soldiers killed in an Iraqi rocket attack earlier on a US army position south of Baghdad. Fifteen other soldiers were wounded in that attack.

In addition, seven US troops are being held as prisoners of war and eight others are reported missing in action.

SPACE.WIRE