Flags at Half Staff Over State Capitol to Honor Fallen Coronado-Based Sailor

Chief Petty Officer Jason Finan is the first U.S. combat death in the offensive to re-take the Iraqi city of Mosul

Flags at the California State Capitol will be flown at half staff in honor of Jason Finan, the fallen Coronado-based sailor killed in Iraq Thursday.

"On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Chief Petty Officer Jason C. Finan, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation," read a statement from Governor Jerry Brown's office.

Chief Petty Officer Jason C. Finan, 34, died Thursday from injuries suffered by an "improvised explosive device," or roadside bomb, officials said.

Finan was from Anaheim, California, and was serving in Iraq with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 in an advisory capacity, according to the Pentagon. 

The Chief Petty Officer's family will receive a letter of condolence from the Governor as well, according to the statement, 

Finan was the first U.S. service member to die in combat since the launch of a massive operation to retake the Islamic State-held city of Mosul last week. 

More than 100 U.S. special operations forces are embedded with Iraqi units, and hundreds more are playing a supporting role in staging bases.

"The entire Navy Expeditionary Combat Command family offers our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and loved ones of the Sailor we lost," said Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command/NECC Pacific, in a news release.

Three other service members have died in Iraq since the U.S.-led coalition began launching airstrikes against IS in August 2014.

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