Two Special Forces soldiers from Fort Lewis were killed Tuesday during a deployment to the Philippines.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw and Staff Sgt. Jack M. Martin III of 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group died from a bomb blast on Jolo Island.

American service members, including many special operations troops, have quietly but consistently been serving in the Philippines since 2002. The Americans advise government soldiers fighting Islamic separatists.

Seven Washington-based service members have died while serving in the Philippines, but none since 2007.

The 1st Special Forces Group has lost 12 soldiers during American military operations since 2001.

Shaw, a 37-year-old Natchez, Miss., native was on his second deployment to the Philippines. He joined the Army Reserve in 1994 while attending Texas Southern University on a track and field scholarship. He joined active-duty the next year and trained as a forward observer.

He previously served in Fort Lewis-based 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

Shaw is survived by his wife, Attina, and their children Darian Shaw, Erielle Smith, Jalyn Smith, Dante Shaw and Cydney Shaw.

“On Sept. 29th we lost a husband, father, son, brother and uncle,” Shaw’s family said in a statement. “We would like to thank everyone for their support during this most difficult and trying time. We appreciate the condolences, prayers and acts of kindness that we have received.

“Chris was a man who deeply loved his family and believed that he was making a difference in the fight against terror.”

Martin, a 26-year-old from Bethany, Okla., was on his first deployment to the Philippines, but he had previously deployed to Iraq.

He joined the Army in 2001 and joined the Special Forces in 2004.

Martin is survived by his wife, Ashley.