DIXFIELD – A 22-year-old Jay soldier was severely injured in a firefight in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Staff Sgt. Chad Staples, a 2002 graduate of Jay High School and a Ranger with the 82nd Airborne Division deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C., was one of 16 soldiers injured during the battle, his mother, Shannon Staples, said Thursday.

Her son was deployed shortly after Christmas for an 18-month tour of duty. This is his second tour. He first served in Iraq in 2005.

She said he is a Ranger squad leader. Rangers are part of an elite force specially trained and equipped for advanced combat situations.