Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Italian Air Force NCO, Arnaldo Forcucci

Arnaldo Forcucci
Italian Air Force Marshal, Arnaldo Forcucci, aged 41, died at the Italian Base Camp, Herat, on 15th January 2009 from a heart attack.

He was an operations planner for the Italian forces in Afghanistan.

He leaves his wife and a daughter.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Australian commando killed in rocket attack

Private Gregory Michael Sher was killed in a rocket attack in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, on Sunday 4th January 2009, at 12:55 Afghan time (19:25 AEST).

Private Sher was a member of 2 Commando Company, 1st Commando Regiment, and at the time of the attack was with a Special Operations Task Group element that had deployed from Tarin Kowt to a provincial patrol base.

Private Sher was 30 years old and leaves behind his parents, two brothers and a partner, who are currently receiving support from Defence.


Private Sher was born in South Africa in 1978 and moved to Australia with his family in 1986. He joined the Australian Army in 1998 as an Army Reserve infantryman, serving with 5/6 RVR. Private Sher deployed on operations to East Timor with his regular infantry unit from November 2002 until May 2003.

Private Sher successfully completed the Commando selection course in 2004 and gained entry to Special Forces, joining the 1st Commando Regiment. He went on to complete the suite of Special Forces courses required to become a qualified commando.

For his service in East Timor, Private Sher received the Australian Active Service Medal, the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor Medal and the Infantry Combat Badge. Private Sher has also been awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal with ISAF Clasp, the Australian Defence Medal and the Returned from Active Service Badge.

Private Sher was buried following a Jewish funeral service with full military honours.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

UK Military fatalities 2008

British military fatalities in Afghanistan - 2008

Date Name Rank Age Unit Cause
2008




31-Dec Elms, Liam Corporal 26 45 Commando Royal Marines IED attack
24-Dec Whatley, Benjamin L-Corporal 20 42 Commando Royal Marines Hostile fire
21-Dec Deering, Robert Corporal 33 Commando Logistics IED attack
17-Dec Nash, Stuart Rifleman 21 1st Battalion The Rifles Hostile fire
15-Dec Lewis, Aaron Lieutenant 26 29 Commando Royal Artillery Hostile fire
12-Dec Davies, Damian Marine 27 Commando Logistics Regiment Suicide bomb
12-Dec Manuel, John Henry Sergeant 38 45 Commando Royal Marines Suicide bomb
12-Dec Birch, Marc Corporal 26 45 Commando Royal Marines Suicide bomb
12-Dec Fellows, Steven L-Corporal 26 45 Commando Royal Marines IED attack
27-Nov Evans, Tony Marine 20 42 Commando Royal Marines RPG attack
27-Nov Sparks, Georgie Marine 19 42 Commando Royal Marines RPG attack
24-Nov Lucas, Alexander Marine 24 45 Commando Royal Marines IED attack
15-Nov Dura, Krishnabahadur C-Sergeant 36 Royal Gurkha Rifles IED attack
12-Nov Dunstan, Neil David Marine 32 UK Command Support Group IED attack
12-Nov McKibben, Robert  Marine 32 UK Command Support Group IED attack
04-Nov Rai, Yubraj Rifleman 28 2nd Royal Gurkha Rifles Hostile fire
15-Oct Munday, James Trooper 21 Household Cavalry Regiment IED attack
13-Sep Mason, Nicky L-Corporal 26 2 Parachute Regiment IED attack
12-Sep Rawstron, Jason Lee Private 23 2 Parachute Regiment Hostile fire
10-Sep O'Donnell, Gary WO2 40 11 EODR Royal Logistic Corps IED attack
04-Sep Cupples, Justin James Ranger 29 1st Royal Irish Regiment IED attack
18-Aug Dempsey, Barry Corporal 29 Royal Highland Fusiliers IED attack
11-Aug Bland, Wayne Signaller 21 16 Signal Regiment Suicide bomb
29-Jul Cowton, Peter Joe Private 25 2 Parachute Regiment IED attack
28-Jul Mathews, Jonathan Sergeant 35 4 Royal Regiment of Scotland Hostile fire
24-Jul Rowe, Kenneth L-Corporal 24 2 Parachute Regiment Hostile fire
22-Jul Barnes, Jason Stuart Corporal 25 2 Parachute Regiment IED attack
28-Jun Johnson, James L-Corporal 31 5 Royal Regiment of Scotland Land mine
27-Jun Shirley, Dan WO2 32 13 Air Assault Support Accident
24-Jun Williams, Michael Sgt Major 40 2 Parachute Regiment Hostile fire
24-Jun Whittaker, Joe Private 20 4 Parachute Regiment RPG attack
17-Jun Stout, Paul L-Corporal 31 Not reported yet IED attack
17-Jun Bryant, Sarah Sergeant 26 Intelligence Corps IED attack
17-Jun Larkin, Richard L-Corporal 39 Not reported yet IED attack
17-Jun Reeve, Sean Robert Corporal 28 Royal Signals IED attack
12-Jun Bateman, James L-Corporal 29 2 Parachute Regiment Hostile fire
12-Jun Doherty, Jeff Private 20 2 Parachute Regiment Hostile fire
08-Jun Murray, Charles David Private 19 2 Parachute Regiment IED attack
08-Jun Gamble, Daniel Private 22 2 Parachute Regiment IED attack
08-Jun Cuthbertson, Nathan Private 19 2 Parachute Regiment IED attack
25-May Gostick, Dale Marine 22 3 Armoured Support IED attack
19-May Thompson, James Captain 27 SAS Hostile fire
02-May Babakobau, Ratu Trooper 29 Household Cavalry IED attack
21-Apr Pearson, Robert Trooper 22 Queens Royal Lancers IED attack
13-Apr Thompson, Gary Snr. Airman 51 RAF Regiment IED attack
13-Apr Livingstone, Graham Snr. Airman 23 RAF Regiment IED attack
30-Mar Marsh, David Marine 22 40 Commando Royal Marines IED attack
30-Mar Thornton, John Lieutenant 23 40 Commando Royal Marines IED attack
20-Feb Mulvihill, Damian Corporal 32 40 Commando Royal Marines IED attack
17-Feb Lawrence, Damian  Corporal 25 2nd Yorkshire Regiment IED attack
20-Jan Gardiner, Darryl Corporal 25 5th Royal Artillery, Recon IED attack