U.S. military officials say three Fort Stewart Soldiers have been killed by a bomb blast in Afghanistan.

The Defense Department on Thursday identified the slain soldiers as 25-year-old 1st Lt. Jonam Russell of Cornville, Ariz.; 24-year-old Sgt. Stefan M. Smith of Glenville, Ga.; and 24-year-old Spc. Rob L. Nichols of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Military officials say all three were killed Tuesday by a roadside bomb in the town of Soltan Kheyl.

The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment of Fort Stewart's 4th Infantry Brigade. The brigade is part of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division.

Fort Stewart officials say the soldiers' unit deployed in March and is due to return to the U.S. in November.

Tags: Fort Stewart, Afghanistan, soldiers killed