A staff and wire report

A North Carolina National Guard soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.

The Defense Department says 23-year-old N.C.Army National Guard Sgt. James A. Slape of Morehead City died Thursday as a result of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province.

The incident is under investigation.

Slape was assigned to the 60th Troop Command, 430th Explosive Ordnance Company, of the Army National Guard of Washington, N.C.

Slape was promoted to the rank of sergeant posthumously.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Sgt. James Slape losing his life while serving our country,’ said Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard, in a news release. “We honor his courage, his selfless service and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and fellow soldiers as we hold them firmly in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Slape’s unit deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support in April. The unit is scheduled to return to the U.S. in the spring.

Gov. Roy Cooper paid tribute to Slape.

“National Guard members step up and answer the call to service wherever they are needed, whether at home to help during a natural disaster or overseas to protect our national security,” said Cooper. “They leave their homes, their families and their jobs and put their lives on the line for us. On behalf of the people of North Carolina, I honor the service and sacrifice of Sgt. James Slape and offer our deepest sympathy to his loved ones and his fellow soldiers.”

Slape joined the North Carolina National Guard in 2013 and graduated from the Explosive Ordnance School as an explosive ordnance specialist in 2015.

Slape is the 26th N.C. Army National Guard soldier to be killed in action since Sept. 11, 2001.