Army searching Afghanistan river for Chesterfield soldier

A soldier from Chesterfield County has been missing since a resupply mission in Afghanistan that claimed the life of a unit member from Massachusetts, the U.S. Department of Defense said yesterday.

Sgt. Brandon T. Islip, 23, of Chesterfield, and Sgt. Benjamin W. Sherman, 21, of Plymouth, Mass., were swept away in a river Nov. 4 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, officials confirmed yesterday.

Army divers found Sherman's body about a week later, said Maj. Brian Fickel, an Army spokesman.

Islip is a member of the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, N.C.

Islip's relatives are hoping he'll be found alive. "Fort Bragg has pretty much given us every indication that they're actually searching for him . . . and that he'll be sent home safely to us," said Carol Crone, a family spokeswoman.

Crone said the family did not wish to discuss the matter further.

Military officials said the search-and-recovery efforts are continuing and that the incident is under investigation.

"All available assets in Afghanistan that we have in that area have been used," Fickel said. "Everyone hopes he's still alive."

The two soldiers were retrieving airdropped supplies when one of the bundles fell in the river, Fickel said.

"We believe they were trying to retrieve that bundle, and in the process of that, they were both swept away," Fickel said.

A Facebook page headlined "Pray for Brandon Islip!" has attracted comments from well-wishers.

"Still praying for Brandon's safe return," one posting read. "Your family is standing strong and brave just waiting for you to safely come home."

Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or .