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Wednesday, May 22, 2013 | 12:47 a.m.

Updated: 3:59 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, 2008 | Posted: 3:57 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, 2008

Electrocution Of Local Soldier Spurs Inspections In Iraq

Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth Of Shaler Killed In January

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Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth

WASHINGTON —

The top commander in Iraq says more than 80,000 facilities in Iraq will be inspected for faulty wiring as part of an effort to prevent future accidental electrocutions of U.S. troops.

At least 10 U.S. soldiers, five Marines and a third-country contractor for the Defense Department have been identified as having died by electrocution in Iraq.

Gen. David Petraeus spelled out the extent of the review that began last month in a letter to Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., that was released Monday by Casey's office.

Casey had questioned what changes had been made following the death of Sgt. Ryan Maseth, a Green Beret from Shaler who was electrocuted while showering.

Petraeus says a team has been named to oversee the review of more than 80,000 facilities, which include 6,000 pre-existing Iraqi facilities. All are maintained by the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program. The team will also develop repair and prevention plans.

Casey says in a statement that the inspections "should have been taken a long time ago," but he is pleased that Petraeus was making the changes.

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