A roadside bomb in Afghanistan killed a 23-year-old senior airman on Tuesday, the service has announced.

Senior Airman Michael J. Buras of Fitzgerald, Ga., served as a bomb technician with the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron's explosive ordnance disposal team in Kandahar. Two airmen from the same squadron were injured during the blast and are being treated at the hospital at Kandahar Airfield.

Buras, of Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., received a Purple Heart last year for wounds he sustained during a deployment.

"Airman Buras was a dedicated professional and a true patriot and he will be sorely missed," said Lt. Col. Mark McCloud, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "Our thoughts and prayers are also with our other two airmen who were injured and are receiving care."