Soldier from California killed in Afghanistan

A soldier from Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County has been killed in combat in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced Sunday.

Spec. Kenneth Clifford Alvarez was killed Friday in Haft Asiab when his unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

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tony.perry@latimes.com