Thursday, June 30, 2011

US Marine Lance Corporal John Farias

20-year-old US Marine Lance Cpl. John F. Farias, from New Braunfels, Texas, died on 28th June 2011 in Helmand province while conducting combat operations.

L-Cpl. Farias serving in the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based at Camp Pendleton, California.

He joined the Marines in August 2009 and this was his first combat deployment.

He was awarded a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

US Marine Lance Corporal Mark Goyet

22-year-old US Marine Lance Cpl. Mark R. Goyet, from Sinton, Texas, died on 28th June 2011 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

L-Cpl. Goyet was a mortar operator serving in the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Twentynine Palms, California.

L-Cpl. Goyet joined the Marines in February 2008. This tour was his third deployment in three years. He was due to leave the Marines in February but volunteered to go to Afghanistan out of loyalty to friends who died there.

He holds a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

US Army Staff Sergeant Donald Stacy

23-year-old US Parachute Regiment Staff Sgt. Donald V. Stacy, from Avondale, Arizona, was killed in Kandahar, Afghanistan on 28th June 2011 from injuries sustained when a bomb detonated beside his combat unit. 

SSgt. Stacy served in the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. He had previously served in Iraq in 2006 and 2008. 

He holds a Bronze Star and Purple Heart among other awards he has received since joining the Army in 2005.

US Army Specialist Nicholas Bernier

US Army Combat Medic, Spc. Nicholas P. Bernier, died on 25th June 2011 at Landstuhl Medical Center, Germany, from wounds he received in Kherwar, Afghanistan on 22nd June in a battle with enemy forces. He was hit by small arms rounds in the exchange of fire

21-year-old Spc. Bernier, from East Kingston, New Hampshire, served with the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Polk.

He joined the army in 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in October 2010. He leaves his parents, brothers and sister.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

US Marine Corporal Michael Nolen

US Marine Corporal Michael C. Nolen died in Helmand province on 27th June 2011 while on combat operations in the area.

The 22-year-old Marine, from Spring Valley, Wisconsin, served with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Cpl. Nolen joined the Marines in November 2007 and was promoted in December 2009. He deployed to Afghanistan in March this year. His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

US Army Spc. Kevin Hilaman

US Army Specialist Kevin J. Hilaman, from Albany, California, was killed in action on 26th June 2011 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, during a battle with enemy forces who attacked his unit with small arms fire.

Spc. Hilaman, age 28, served with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based in Hawaii.

Spc. Hilaman joined the Army in March 2003. He had previously served in Iraq and Afghanistan. This was his third overseas deployment. He holds the Bronze Star and Purple Heart among other awards.

US Army Staff Sgt. Nigel Kelly

US Army Staff Sergeant Nigel D. Kelly, age 26, from Menifee, California, was killed in action on 25th June 2011 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, during a battle with enemy forces who attacked his unit with small arms fire.

SSgt. Kelly served with the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

SSgt. Kelly had previously completed two tours of duty in Iraq. He holds two Bronze Stars among other awards. He joined the Army in 2003 as a combat engineer.

Monday, June 27, 2011

USAF Sergeant Daniel Douville

US Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, from Harvey, Louisiana, was killed in action on 26th June 2011 when a bomb exploded in the Nad-e-Ali district of Helmand province. He was 33 years old. 

He was assigned to the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Tech. Sgt. Douville had been in the USAF since 1997. He was a bomb-disposal technician who his former EOD instructors described as having "a quiet presence."

Married for 14 years, he leaves his wife LaShana, son Daniel Jr., and daughters Jadelynn and Ayjah.

US Marine Sergeant Ralph Pate

Ralph and Kimberly Pate
US Marine Gunnery Sergeant Ralph E. Pate Jr., age 29, from Mullins, S.C., died on 26th June 2011 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. 

He was assigned to 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Gunnery Sgt. Pate joined the Marines in 1998, served four tours of duty in Iraq and deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2011. He holds a Bronze Star Medal among other awards and decorations.

He leaves his wife Kimberly, children Brianna (11) and Ashton (8). He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

US Army 1st. Lieutenant Dimitri Del Castillo

US Army First Lieutenant Dimitri A. Del Castillo was killed in action on 25th June 2011 in Kunar, Afghanistan during an engagement with enemy forces who attacked his unit with small arms fire.

1Lt. Del Castillo, age 24, served with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He graduated from West Point in 2009.

1Lt. Castillo earned his Airborne patch at the Academy and Ranger School in May 2011. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal and the NATO Medal.

He leaves his wife Katie, a fellow graduate of the Military Academy at West Point.
He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carlos E. Del Castillo, his brother, Carlos Andres and sister Anna.

US Marine Sergeant Marlon Myrie

25-year-old US Marine Sergeant Marlon E. Myrie died in Helmand province on 25th June 2011 while conducting combat operations.

Sgt. Myrie, from Oakland Park, Florida, served with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

He joined the Marines in 2004 and served two tours of duty in Iraq (2005 and 2007). He deployed to Afghanistan in January this year.

Sgt. Myrie leaves his wife and child.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Canadian Master-Corporal Francis Roy

Canadian Army Master Corporal Francis Roy, from Rimouski, Quebec, died on 25th June 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from what military officials described as "non-combat related wounds".

MCpl. Roy was serving with the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) and a former member of the Royal 22e Regiment.

MCpl. Roy, a logistician specializing in transport movements, volunteered to join CSOR in 2007. The Canadian Task Force Kandahar commander, Brigadier-General Dean Milner described MCpl. Roy as "an avid fisherman and runner, with a passion for old cars."

The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.

Spanish Army Sergeant Manuel Argudin Perrino

Spanish Infantry Sergeant Manuel Argudin Perrino was one of two troops killed in action on 26th June when a roadside bomb exploded beside the armoured reconnaissance patrol he was with.

The incident happened some 20km from the northern Afghanistan town of Qala-i-Naw. 

Three other Spanish soldiers were injured in the blast and evacuated by helicopter to Bala Murghab military hospital.

All of the troops belonged to the 9th Infantry Regiment based in Fuerteventura. Also killed by the blast was Spanish Infantry soldier Niyireth Pineda Marin.

Female Spanish soldier, Niyireth Pineda Marín

Spanish Infantry soldier Niyireth Pineda Marin was one of two troops killed in action on 26th June when a roadside bomb exploded beside the armoured reconnaissance patrol she was with.

The incident happened some 20km from the northern Afghanistan town of Qala-i-Naw.

Pvt. Marin was born in the city of Pereira. A single mother of a 12-year-old boy, she worked as a schoolteacher before she moved to the Canary Islands with her son.

Her body will be taken to a ceremony in the Canary Islands before it is moved to the city of Pereira, the hometown where Marin's family and friends are mourning their loss.

Three other Spanish soldiers were injured in the blast and evacuated by helicopter to Bala Murghab military hospital.

All of the troops belonged to the 9th Infantry Regiment based in Fuerteventura. Also killed by the blast was Sergeant Manuel Argudin Perrino

Two Spanish soldiers killed by bomb blast

Two Spanish soldiers have been killed by a bomb blast in Afghanistan, and another three were injured, when their armoured vehicle hit an improvised explosive device today, Sunday 26th June 2011.

The soldiers were on a reconnaissance patrol when the blast occurred about 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Qala i Naw city in the northwestern province of Badghi, the Spanish Defence Ministry said.

The injured were evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in the village of Bala Murghab. They suffered broken bones and bruises in the explosion.

The two were named as: Sergeant Manuel Argudin Perrino and Infantry soldier Niyireth Pineda Marin.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

French Para, Cyrille Hugodot

Para 1st Class Cyrille Hugodot, serving with the French 1st Parachute Regiment, was killed in action on Saturday 25th June 2011 during a battle with enemy forces in Tagab, Kapisa province.

His unit was protecting engineers deployed to find and destroy bombs and other explosive devices in the area, when they were attacked.

Paratrooper Hugodot, age 24, joined the RCP (Paras) in March 2009. He had previously deployed to Gabon and arrived in Afghanistan on 15th May this year. He leaves a wife and young daughter.

US Army Spc. Nicholas Hensley

28-year-old US Army Specialist Nicholas C. D. Hensley from Prattville, Alabama, died on 24th June 2011 from wounds received when a bomb detonated in Kandahar on 15th June. He had been evacuated to to a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. His family were at his side when he died.

Spc. Hensley served with the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Spc. Hensley had served two combat tours in Iraq and deployed to Afghanistan in February this year. 

He holds a Purple Heart, two Army Commendation Medals and a Combat Action Badge, among other awards.

Canadian soldier dies in Kandahar

Canadian soldier, M-Corporal Francis Roy, was found dead on Saturday 25th June 2011 at a base in Kandahar. The soldier died from non-combat related injuries, the cause of which is under investigation.

Friday, June 24, 2011

US Marine Corporal Gurpreet Singh

21-year-old US Marine Corporal Gurpreet Singh from Antelope, California, died in Helmand province, Afghanistan on 22nd June 2011 from wounds received while conducting combat operations.

Cpl. Singh was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based at Camp Pendleton, California. He joined the Marines in November 2007 and had deployed in combat twice.

Cpl. Singh was born in Hoshiapur, Punjab, emigrated to the U.S. in 2000 and grew up in Antelope, near Sacramento. He leaves behind his father Nirmal, his mother Satnam Kaur, his sister Manpreet and a brother, also named Gurpreet.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

US Army Spc. Levi Nuncio

Hawaii-based US Army Specialist Levi E. Nuncio, 24, from Harrisonburg, Virginia, was killed in action on 22nd June 2011 during an engagement with enemy forces in Kunar province, Afghanistan. Spc. Nuncio died after being hit with small arms fire. 

Spc. Nuncio served with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. 

He joined the army in 2009. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. 

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

US Marine L-Cpl. Jared Verbeek

22-year-old US Marine Lance Corporal Jared C. Verbeek, from Visalia, California died on 21st June 2011 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

L-Cpl. Verbeek, a military policeman, served with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based at Camp Pendleton, California.

He joined the Marines in September 2007 and was on his second combat deployment.

L-Cpl. Verbeek leaves his wife Vanessa, their 18-month-old son Jacob, and parents Travis and Rosalia.

US Army Pfc. Joshua Jetton

US Army Pfc. Joshua L. Jetton, serving with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, based in Hawaii, was killed in action in Kunar province on 20th June 2011.

His unit was ambushed by insurgent forces and Pfc. Jetton was shot during the battle that followed.

The body of 21-year-old Pfc. Jetton, from Sebring, Florida, was flown to Dover Air Force Base at 1pm on Wednesday 22nd June 2011.

Pfc. Jetton leaves his wife Alicia who is expecting twins.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Georgian Army Private Gia Goguadze

Georgian Army Infantry Private Gia Goguadze was killed in action on 20th June 2011 when enemy forces attacked his patrol unit with small-arms fire. The incident occurred in Helmand province.

Pvt. Goguadze, serving with the 3rd Infantry Brigade, joined the Georgian Army in 2010.

US Army Pfc. Gustavo Rios-Ordonez

US Army Pfc. Gustavo A. Rios-Ordonez was killed in Kandahar province, Afghanistan on 20th June 2011 when a homemade bomb exploded as he was on patrol. Pfc. Rios-Ordonez died from his injuries.

25-year-old Pfc. Rios Ordonez, from Englewood, Ohio, served with the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kansas.

He joined the army in August last year and deployed to Afghanistan in February this year. 

Pfc. Rios-Ordonez leaves behind his 22-year-old wife, Tiffani Rios, and two daughters, ages 2 and 7 months.

US Army Sergeant James Harvey

US Army Sergeant James W. Harvey II was killed in action on 20th June whilst engaging enemy forces in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. He was wounded by small arms fire and subsequently died from his injuries.

Sgt. Harvey, age 23, from Toms River, New Jersey, served with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Sgt. Harvey, known to has family and friends as "Jimmy", leaves his parents James and Susan and three sisters, Tracey, Robin and Christine.

NATO soldier killed by bomb blast - 21 June 2011

A service member with NATO/ISAF died today, 21st June 2011, from a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan.

No further details are available at the moment.

US Marine Pfc. Josue Ibarra

US Marine Pfc. Josue Ibarra, age 21, from Midland, Texas, died on 19th June 2011 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Pfc. Ibarra served with the 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He joined the Marines in June 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in April this year.

His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Monday, June 20, 2011

US Army Pfc. Brian Backus

U.S Army Pfc. Brian J. Backus, age 21, from Saginaw Township, Michigan, was killed in action on 18th June from enemy fire during a battle with insurgents. The incident happened in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

Pfc. Backus served with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, New York. He joined the army in June 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in March this year.

Reverend Paula M. Timm, pastor of Harbor Beach United Methodist Church, where Pfc. Backus and his family were regular worshipers, said of him: “He had that twinkle in his eye and he was just a sweetheart. This is just breaking our hearts.”

Pfc. Backus leaves his two-year-old son Jack, his parents Alan and Anne, and brother Paul.

US Army Sgt. 1st Class Alvin Boatwright

US Army Sergeant 1st Class Alvin A. Boatwright, age 33, from Lodge, South Carolina, was one of four soldiers killed when their armoured patrol vehicle rolled over during an operation in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan on 18th June 2011.

Sfc. Boatwright served with 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Baumholder, Germany.

He joined the Army in February 1998. He served in Korea (1999-2000) and deployed twice to Iraq. Following his last combat tour in Iraq, he served as a Recruiting Sergeant for the Army in Dallas, Texas.

US Army Sergeant Edward Dixon

US Army Sergeant Edward F. Dixon III, age 37, from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, was one of four soldiers killed when their armoured patrol vehicle rolled over during an operation in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan on 18th June 2011.

Sgt. Dixon served with 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Baumholder, Germany.

Sgt. Dixon, with almost 19 years of military service, began his career in the Air Force and transferred to the Army after 9/11. This was his 5th tour of duty to the middle east region that included Iraq and Afghanistan. He was due home in July this year.

US Army Sergeant Alan Snyder

US Army Sergeant Alan L. Snyder, age 28, from Blackstone, Massachusetts, was one of four soldiers killed when their armoured patrol vehicle rolled over during an operation in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan on 18th June 2011.

Sgt. Snyder served with 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Baumholder, Germany.

Sgt. Snyder, who had celebrated his birthday days earler on 11th June, leaves his parents Alfred and Julie and two brothers, James and Justin.

US Army Spc. Tyler Kreinz

US Army Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz, age 21, from Beloit, Wisconsin, was one of four soldiers killed when their armoured patrol vehicle rolled over during an operation in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan on 18th June 2011.

Spc. Kreinz served with 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Baumholder, Germany.

Spc. Kreinz, who wanted to join the military since he was twelve, leaves his parents David and Marilyn.

US Army Spc. Scott Smith

US Army Specialist Scott D. Smith, age 36, from Indianapolis, Indiana, died on 17th June 2011 in Khowst province, Afghanistan, from non-combat related injuries.

Spc. Smith served with 81st Troop Command, Indiana Army National Guard, Indianapolis.

He leaves his wife and three children.

NATO soldier killed by bomb blast - 20 June 2011

A NATO/ISAF member has been killed in southern Afghanistan by a bomb blast today - 20th June 2011.

More information to follow.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

British Army Private Gareth Bellingham

British Army Private Gareth Leslie William Bellingham, serving with 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords), was killed by enemy gunfire in the Gereshk Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan on Saturday 18th June 2011.

His unit was conducting a patrol to assess the situation on the ground and meet with the local population who had recently returned to compounds in the area. During the patrol, a local Afghan was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (homemade bomb). As Private Bellingham's unit was providing security, insurgents fired upon the patrol and he was fatally wounded.

He had been in Afghanistan since April 2011.

His parents, Leslie and Suzanne said of their son: “Gareth died doing the job he loved and we are all proud of the job he did. He will be sadly missed by family, friends and all those who knew him. Rest in peace”

French Paratrooper Florian Morillon

French Paratrooper Florian Morillon was killed in action on Saturday 18th June 2011 while on foot patrol in the Tagab valley, Kapisa province. His unit was attacked by enemy forces and 1re-classe Morillon was critically injured in an exchange of fire.

He was evacuated by helicopter to the French Military hospital in Kabul, where he later died from his wounds.

Prior to serving in Afghanistan, he served in Gabon and the Central African Republic. He deployed to Afghanistan mid-May 2011.

1re-classe Morillon served with the 1st Parachute Regiment.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

French Paratrooper killed in action - 18 June 2011

A French Paratrooper was killed in action 18th June 2011 in Kapisa province, Afghanistan. The soldier was part of a foot patrol south of Tagab when the unit was attacked by insurgent forces.

A soldier was wounded in the attack and evacuated to a military hospital in Kabul. Sadly, he died from his injuries.

Update: soldier named as Florian Morillon

British soldier killed in action - 18 June 2011

A British soldier from the 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment was shot while on patrol in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand on 18th June 2011.

He is the third British soldier to die in Afghanistan in the last two days.

British Paratrooper, Corporal Lloyd Newell

British Army Corporal Lloyd Newell, from the Parachute Regiment, was killed in a gun battle with insurgent forces during an operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan on Thursday 16th June 2011.

British newspaper, The Sun, claims that Cpl. Newell was serving with the Special Air Service (SAS). However, the British MoD are remaining tight-lipped about his unit and his mission.

Cpl. Newell was married with a nine-week-old daughter.

British Army Craftsman Andrew Found

British Army Craftsman Andrew Found, was killed by the blast of a roadside bomb on Thursday 16th June 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Craftsman Found, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was serving with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

The incident happened near Adinza’i in the Gereshk Valley area, within the northern Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province. His squadron were targeting insurgents in that area. During the operation, an armoured patrol vehicle struck a road mine which disabled the vehicle and injured its crew. As the Recovery Mechanic, Craftsman Found was assessing the damage to the vehicle when he was caught in a secondary explosion in which he was fatally wounded.

Craftsman Found was married to Samantha and they had one son, Jaxson. He was also father to Michael from a previous relationship.

NATO soldier killed southern Afghanistan 18 June

A service member of NATO/ISAF was killed today, 18th June 2011, by hostile fire during an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.

No further details available at this time.

Friday, June 17, 2011

US Marine Sergeant Mark Bradley

US Marine Sergeant Mark Andrew Bradley, age 25, died on Thursday 16th June 2011 from injuries he received in Afghanistan from a bomb blast on 3rd June.

Sgt. Bradley served with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune. He was on his first deployment to Afghanistan and had previously completed four overseas tours of duty.

He had been medically evacuated from Afghanistan to Germany and then to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

His wife, Samantha, said that doctors had amputated both of Sgt. Bradley's legs above the knee. His lungs had collapsed, his kidney and liver failed, and he suffered brain trauma. Doctors also had operated on his heart.

Sgt. Bradley joined the Marines eight years ago after he finished high school in Cuba, New York.

Two British soldiers killed in action - 16 June 2011

Two British soldiers have been killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan, Thursday 16th June 2011.

Craftsman Andrew Found from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, serving with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, was killed in an explosion while on an operation near Adinza'i in the Gereshk valley area, within the northern Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. During an operation to detain an insurgent, the soldier was working to recover a vehicle which had been damaged in an explosion when he was fatally wounded by an explosive device.

In a separate incident, Corporal Lloyd Newell from the Parachute Regiment was killed by small arms fire while engaging enemy forces on operations in Helmand province.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

US Army Pvt. Ryan Larson

US Army Private Ryan J. Larson, from Friendship, Wisconsin, was killed from the blast of an improvised explosive device on 15th June 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, while conducting a mounted patrol.

19-year-old Pvt. Larson joined the army in June 2010. He served with the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

More information to follow.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

US Ranger, Staff Sergeant Jeremy Katzenberger

26-year-old US Army Staff Sergeant Jeremy A. Katzenberger from Weatherby Lake, Missouri was killed in action in Paktika province, Afghanistan on 14th June 2011 in a battle with enemy forces who attacked his unit. 

SSgt. Katzenberger served with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. He had previously served four tours in Iraq and three tours in Afghanistan. He joined the army in 2004.

SSgt. Katzenberger leaves his wife Colleen and baby son Everett James, and his parents Robert and Peggy. He would have celebrated his first Father's Day on Sunday.

US Army Pfc. Eric Soufrine

20-year-old US Army Private First Class Eric D. Soufrine, from Woodbridge, Conn., died on 14th June 2011 from wounds suffered when a bomb exploded near his unit. The incident happened in Farah province, Afghanistan.

Pfc. Soufrine served with the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Pfc. Soufrine joined the army in May 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in December. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and NATO Service Medal.

He leaves his parents, Michael and Donna, an older brother Joshua and older sister Rebecca.

NATO soldier killed southern Afghanistan 15 June

A NATO/ISAF service member was killed today, 15th June 2011, by a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan.

No further details are available at the moment.

British Army Warrant Officer Grant Armstrong

British Army WO2 Grant Armstrong of the Light Dragoons died on 4th June 2011 from cancer after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year.

WO2 Armstrong had served two tours of duty in Afghanistan as well as a tour in Iraq and four tours in Bosnia. After surviving Taliban bullets and bombs, he prepared for a battle with cancer.

WO2 Armstrong was buried on 14th June 2011 with full military honours at Swanton Morley Cemetery in Norfolk, England.

His funeral was held on what would have been his eighth wedding anniversary. His wife Donna, released a white dove as a symbol of hope and freedom.

Soil from the soldier's birthplace in Northumberland was specially brought in to cover his grave.

Note: we have included WO2 Armstrong on this website as a tribute to a soldier who served in Afghanistan. May he rest in peace.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

NATO soldier killed western Afghanistan - 14 June 2011

A NATO/ISAF service member was killed from the blast of a bomb in western Afghanistan on 14th June 2011. No further details are available at the moment.

US Marine L-Cpl. Jason Hill

20-year-old US Marine, Lance Corporal Jason D. Hill from Poway, California, was killed in Helmand province, Afghanistan on 11th June 2011 whilst conducting combat operations.

L-Cpl. Hill served with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, California.

L-Cpl. Hill enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2010. His personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the NATO Medal.

His father, Charles, raised Jason and his two brothers, Dylan and Aaron as a single parent.

US Marine L-Cpl. Sean O'Connor

22-year-old US Marine, Lance Corporal Sean M. N. O'Connor, from Douglas, Wyoming was killed in Helmand province on 12th June 2011 whilst conducting combat operations.

L-Cpl. O'Connor served with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, California.

L-Cpl. O'Connor enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2007. His personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Monday, June 13, 2011

US Marine L-Cpl. Joshua McDaniels

21-year-old US Marine, Lance Corporal Joshua B. McDaniels from Dublin, Ohio, died on 12th June 2011 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was killed from the blast of a roadside bomb.

L-Cpl. McDaniels, age 21, served with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

As a combat engineer, L-Cpl. McDaniels was involved in bomb-disposal work. He joined the Marines in 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in March this year.

He leaves his wife, Adrianna whom he married in September last year, his parents Brent and Janice, two brothers and a sister.

US Army Captain Michael Newton

US Army Captain Michael W. Newton from Newport News, Virginia, died on 11th June 2011 in Faryab province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident.

Capt. Newton, age 30, served with the 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Baumholder, Germany. He joined the Army in 2004, deployed twice to Iraq (2006 and 2009) and spent time in South Korea.

He was a battery commander fluent in Spanish and French, and he was finishing a degree in international relations through the University of Oklahoma.

Capt. Newton leaves his parents, Barbara and Willie.

NATO casualties Afghanistan

Two NATO/ISAF service members were killed in southern Afghanistan on 12th June 2011 in separate incidents.

On Saturday 11th June, a soldier died in northern Afghanistan from a non-battle related injury and a soldier died in southern Afghanistan following an enemy attack.

More details to follow.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

French Army Lieutenant Matthieu Gaudin

French Army helicopter pilot Lieutenant Matthieu Gaudin, age 37, was killed on 10th June 2011 when his Gazelle helicopter crashed in bad weather about 20km from Bagram, Afghanistan.

Lt. Gaudin, serving with a Regiment of Combat Helicopters (RHC) had previously served in Croatia (2002), Kosovo (2008), Cote d'Ivoire (2005 and 2010). He deployed to Afghanistan in June 2011.

His awards include the Gold Medal of National Defence, the Vermeil Medal with overseas clasp, the Yugoslavia Medal with clasp and the NATO medal.

Lt. Gaudin joined the military in 1997 and qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1998. He was described as a willfull and passionate officer.

He leaves a wife and four children.

French Army M-Corporal Lionel Chevalier

French Army Caporal-chef (Master Corporal) Lionel Chevalier, age 24, died in Tagab, Afghanistan on 10th June 2011.

M-Cpl Chevalier, serving with the 35th Infantry Regiment, suffered a fatal gunshot wound while holding his weapon when he was returning from a patrol mission.

M-Cpl. Chevalier, from Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, joined the French Army in 2005. He had previously served in Central Africa, Lebanon and Guyana. He deployed to Afghanistan in May 2011.

His comrades described him as an excellent athlete, cheerful and highly motivated.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Two French soldiers killed Afghanistan 10 June 2011

French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet said in a statement on Friday that a flight lieutenant died of his injuries after a Gazelle helicopter crashed about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Bagram in northern Afghanistan.

The pilot of the helicopter was seriously injured, the statement added.

Another French soldier fatally wounded himself with his own gun while going back to Tagab base in the northeast following a mission on the same day.

Update: helicopter pilot Lieutenant Matthieu Gaudin and Caporal-chef Lionel Chevalier

Friday, June 10, 2011

NATO helicopter crash kills French officer - 10 June

Another NATO helicopter has crashed killing a French officer, in eastern Afghanistan. The incident happened on Friday 10th June 2011.

No further details have been released yet.

More information to follow.

US Marine Lance-Corporal Nicholas O'Brien

21-year-old US Marine Lance-Corporal Nicholas S. O'Brien from Stanley, North Carolina was killed in Afghanistan 9th June 2011 while on combat duty. He had celebrated his 21st birthday two weeks ago.

L-Cpl. Nic O'Brien served with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, based at Camp Pendleton, California.

His battalion had begun a seven-month rotation in Afghanistan at the end of March. He and his fellow Marines were on routine foot patrol near the town of Sangin, in Helmand Province, when a roadside bomb exploded and killed him, his father told news reporters.

L-Cpl. Nic O'Brien leaves his parents Richard and Tammy and sister Haley.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

US Marine Corporal Matthew Richard

21-year-old US Marine Corporal Matthew T. Richard from Iota, Louisiana, was killed in Helmand province, Afghanistan on 9th June 2011 while serving a second tour of duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

His parents, Jeff and Alicia, were told of their son's death early morning Thursday 9th June.

His mother told local reporters that at the age of 17 Matthew had begged them to allow him to sign with the Marines.

Cpl. Richard served with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

NATO soldier killed in southern Afghanistan 9 June

A NATO soldier was killed today, 9th June 2011, in southern Afghanistan from the blast of a homemade bomb.

No further details are available at the moment. We will update this report as soon as we can.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

US Marine Special Ops Corporal William Woitowicz

23-year-old US Marine Corporal William J. Woitowicz died in action from multiple gunshot wounds in a battle with enemy forces in Badghis province on 7th June 2011.

Cpl. Woitowicz served with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

One of his former teachers, Michael Donnelly, said of Cpl. Woitowicz: "I was proud of him as a soldier. He will be missed by anybody who knew him."

Cpl William Woitowicz, known for his caring attitude and helpfulness to others, leaves his parents, a brother and a sister.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

German Army Oberstabsgefreiter Alexej Kobelew

German Army Oberstabsgefreiter Alexej Kobelew, age 23, from Bielefeld, northwest Germany, was killed in action in Baghlan province, Afghanistan on 2nd June 2011.

He was in a German Marder tank on a patrol in the province when a hidden road mine detonated beneath the vehicle. He was serving with the 212 Panzer Grenadier battalion.

Born in Belovo, Russia, he went to school in Germany and joined the German Army in 2007. He deployed to Afghanistan in March 2011.

Six other German soldiers were wounded in the same attack.

Rifleman Martin Lamb (1 RIFLES)

British Army Rifleman Martin Jon Lamb from 1st Battalion The Rifles was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 5th June 2011. He was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on a patrol in the Haji Kareen area of the Nahr-e Saraj (South) district.

Rfn Lamb was born on the 26 April 1984 in Gloucester. He joined the Army in September 2003. He passed the All Arms Commando Course before taking up post in the newly formed regiment of The Rifles. He served with distinction in the prestigious Reconnaissance Platoon of 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 RIFLES).

Rfn Lamb leaves behind a loving wife Melissa and two-year-old daughter Rosie.

USMC Sergeant Joseph Garrison

US Marine Sergeant Joseph M. Garrison, from New Bethlehem, Pa., died on 6th June 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Garrison, age 27, was a squad leader serving with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

This was the fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan for Sgt. Garrison, who joined the Marine Corps in 2002.

His sister, Kimberly Knoll, described her brother "Joey" as: "invincible to all of us."

Sgt. Garrison leaves behind his mother Natalie, father Joseph, two sisters, Kimberly Knoll and Judy Rupp, brother Jake and fiance, Brittney Stephens.

US Army Sergeant Joshua Powell

US Army Sergeant Joshua D. Powell from Quitman, Texas was killed in action in Laghman province, Afghanistan on 4th June 2011. Sgt. Powell and three colleagues were killed by the blast from a homemade bomb when his unit was on patrol.

Sgt. Powell, age 28, served with the 793rd Military Police Battalion, based in Alaska. He had been in the army for eight years and this deployment was his fifth tour of duty.

Family members described Sgt. Powell as "the life of the party. He loved his country and he loved what he was doing. We're very proud of him."