JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An 25-year-old Air Force sergeant who grew up in Starke and lived in Melrose died Saturday in combat operations in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Bryan D. Berky, of Melrose, died of wounds sustained from enemy fire near Bala Baluk in the western province of Farah.

An Afghan official told the Associated Press on Sunday that three U.S. troops and seven Afghan troops were killed in an insurgent ambush.

Berky was an explosive ordnance disposal operator, trained to protect military personnel and property from unexploded bombs. He was assigned to the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

A family friend told Channel 4 that Berky's wife, Erin, and infant son flew to Delaware await the return of his remains at Dover Air Force Base.

Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28th Bomb Wing commander, said the thoughts and prayers of base personnel are with Berky’s family during this difficult time.

"This is a grim reminder of the important work hundreds of our airmen are doing overseas today," Taliaferro said in a news release.

Berky grew up in Starke and graduated from Bradford County High School in 2002.

"He always made me smile," said Christie Torode, who taught Berky in high school. "A good student, just always happy, wanting to make you smile, wanting to make you laugh, doing crazy things in class."

"It's hard. It hits home when you know the person," family friend Lisa Detefsen said. "I've known his wife my whole life. It's hard to see her and have to go through something like that."

In December 2008, Berky told the Air Force Times that he loved his work and was aware of the danger.

"I get back and feel like I contributed because I can immediately see the end result of my work," he said. "A lot of terrorists are gunning for EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) operators because they know we're capable of disarming their main weapons."