Fort Carson, Colo. (AP) The defense department says two Fort Carson soldiers were killed Monday when an improvised bomb exploded near their vehicle in Baghdad.

The military said Wednesday the victims were Staff Sgt. Michael D. Elledge of Brownsburg, Ind., and Spc. Christopher C. Simpson of Hampton, Va.

The 41-year-old Elledge was on his second tour in Iraq after joining the army 6 years ago.

Simpson was 23 years old and had joined the army nearly four years ago. He was on his second tour in Iraq.

The number of Fort Carson soldiers killed in the Iraq war now stands at 234.