Services Held for Coronado-Based Navy Petty Officer Killed in Iraq

CORONADO, CA - The body of a Navy explosives expert killed in northern Iraq was returned to San Diego Friday. Coronado-based Chief Petty Officer Jason Finan, 34, suffered fatal wounds from the blast of an improvised explosive device Oct. 20, according to a Navy statement. The Anaheim native was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 in Coronado.

Finan's body arrived at Lindbergh Field, and was taken by a procession of vehicles to a funeral home in Hillcrest.

"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, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command/NECC Pacific.

Finan's death is the fourth since U.S. forces began helping the Iraqi Army fight ISIS. The toll includes Marine Staff Sgt. Louis Cardin of Temecula, who died in March; Coronado-based Navy SEAL Charlie Keating IV, a petty officer first class killed in May; and Army Delta Force Master Sgt. Josh Wheeler, who died last year in a raid that freed around 70 hostages.

A private funeral service for Finan was scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Sacred Heart Church in Coronado. A procession followed to Miramar National Cemetery, where he was laid to rest, The Coronado Times reported.

- City News Service / Image courtesy of U.S. Navy