US Army Pfc. Markie Sims

20-year-old US Army Pfc. Markie T. Sims was killed on 29th December 2012 when an insurgent bomb exploded beside the vehicle he was in. The incident happened during a patrol at Panjwal.

Pfc. Sims, from Citra, Florida, was serving with the Washington-based 38th Engineer Company, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

More information to follow.

Missing Georgian soldier, Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze, found dead

The body of Georgian Army Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze has been found in Afghanistan following an intensive search and rescue mission.

Sgt. Kikadze disappeared from a military base on 19th December 2012, sparking a joint-service search effort.

Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Alasania said earlier: "Today it is the hardest day personally for me, for the Defence Ministry and the Georgian Armed Forces. Today the body of Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze has been discovered. He went missing on December 19 and since then the search and rescue operation had been going on. We express condolences to the family of deceased Georgian soldier."

Below is the news announcement in Georgian language.

Bomb kills ISAF soldier in southern Afghanistan

A NATO/ISAF soldier was killed by a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan earlier today (29th December 2012).

Update: the soldier has been names as 20-year-old US Army Pfc. Markie T. Sims

US Army Sergeant Enrique Mondragon killed in action

23-year-old US Army Sergeant Enrique Mondragon, serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Bamberg, Germany, was killed in action on 24th December 2012.

Sgt. Mondragon was on a foot patrol when his unit was attacked by enemy forces with small arms fire at Baraki Barak, Afghanistan.

More information to follow.

Bomb kills three near Military base in eastern Afghanistan

Khost, 26th December 2012: a car bomb exploded close to FOB Chapman, Khost, earlier today killing three Afghan civilians and wounding seven others, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said.

ISAF spokesman, Major Martin O'Donnell, confirming the report, said: "Three Afghan nationals are killed and seven Afghan nationals are wounded. We have no report of coalition casualties right now."

3 civilians killed by bomb in western Afghanistan

News in brief: three Afghan civilians in the western Afghanistan province of Farah, were killed yesterday (25th December) when the vehicle they were travelling in drove over a hidden bomb.

The incident happened in the Bakwa district. The victims were heading towards Herat, Abdul Rauf Ahmadi, a provincial police spokesman, said.

US Police Mentor Joseph Griffin killed in Kabul shooting

49-year-old Joseph Griffin, from Mansfield, Georgia, was shot and killed in Kabul on 24th December 2012.

His killer was a policewoman identified only as Sergeant Nargas, an Iranian who went to Afghanistan 10 years ago with her husband and obtained a fake ID through him, according to a report in The Guardian.

Mr Griffin was employed by US-based DynCorp International and was in the country supporting the Afghan Ministry of Interior and Afghan National Police Development Program (AMDP).

Nargas walked into a heavily-guarded compound in the heart of Kabul, confronted Griffin and shot him with a pistol. Investigators are still unclear on a motive for the attack.

Afghan government spokesman, Sediq Sediqi, told a news conference that Nargas, in her early 30s and a mother of four, was born in Tehran and moved to Afghanistan 10 years ago after marrying an Afghan national. She joined the Afghan police five years ago and had a clean record within the force.

He went on to say that "her mental condition is not good," and described her as "unstable." He also told press that she had recently attended a training course in Egypt and had been assessed as "not being normal," in a reference to her mental state.

A statement on the DynCorp International website stated that Mr Griffin had worked in support of several of the company's global training and mentoring programs since November 2000 and that he deployed to Afghanistan in July 2011. The statement also says about Mr Griffin that he was "A veteran of the U.S. military who served in various U.S.-based law enforcement positions over the years, Mr. Griffin was an experienced professional who will be missed by his colleagues.

Afghan police officer kills five colleagues

Afghan Police. CROWN COPYRIGHT.

An Afghan police officer, identified as Dur Mohammad, shot dead five of his colleagues earlier today - Monday 24th December - in the northern province of Jawzjan, an official said.

Dur Mohammad, the head of the police post, is thought to have joined the Taliban insurgents after the deadly shooting, provincial police chief Abdul Aziz Ghairat said.

"He shot dead five of his colleagues and fled and joined the Taliban," Ghairat said.

The gunman and victims were part of the Afghan Local Police (ALP), a US-backed community police force tasked with guarding Afghan villages against Taliban attacks.

The incident is the latest in a string of attacks by Afghan Police and Army personnel on their own men or foreign allies. Earlier in the day, a female Afghan police officer killed a foreign adviser in the capital Kabul. Click here for that report.

Update on missing Georgia soldier

The Georgia Ministry of Defence has issued an update on the status of a soldier missing in Afghanistan since 19th December.

The SAR (Search and Rescue) operation is ongoing and the mission - involving Georgia and ISAF troops - is being led by Deputy Chief of Joint Staff of GAF, Brigadier-General Vakhtang Kapanadze.

The soldier was reported as missing on 19th December. Since then, a rigorous search mission has been in operation. Georgia currently has two battalions operating in Helmand province; 12/1 Infantry and 32/3 Infantry. 19 Georgian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2010.

Update: The body of Georgian Army Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze was found on 29th December 2012.

ISAF soldier killed in eastern Afghanistan

KABUL: A NATO/ISAF soldier died today, Monday 24th December, following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan.

No further details have been released as yet, but it is confirmed that this incident is not related to an earlier shooting at Kabul Police HQ.

More information to follow.

US Adviser killed by Afghan policewoman

Kabul: Deputy Police Chief Mohammad Daoud Amin has said in a statement to press that a female member of the Afghan Police shot and killed a US Adviser at Kabul Police HQ today, Monday 24th December.

Amin did not release any further information regarding the incident, stating that an investigation was in progress. NATO military command confirmed it was investigating reports of the shooting.

The victim has been named as 49-year-old Joseph Griffin.

US Navy SEAL Commander Job W. Price

US Navy Commander Job W. Price, died on 22nd December 2012 from a non-combat related injury in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.

42-year-old Cmdr Price was in charge of mission coordination for Navy SEAL Team 4, according to reports by CNN.

CNN reported that staff found Cmdr Price's body with an apparent gunshot wound, which has led to speculation that the cause of death was suicide. However, the incident is being investigated.

More information to follow.

Photo courtesy of US Navy

British soldier killed by British sniper. Mother seeks apology from MOD

A British woman whose son was shot dead in Afghanistan seeks an apology from the Ministry of Defense. 

Helen Perry's son, Michael, was shot and killed while serving in Afghanistan as a Royal Military Police officer, attached the The Rifles. 

• Five months passed before she discovered how her son died
• He was shot and killed by a British sniper who thought he was firing at an insurgent
• Sat in the same room as the sniper who killed her son during a Hearing into the shooting

Read the full story at The Guardian

NEWS: Georgian soldier missing in Afghanistan

The Georgia Ministry of Defence has issued a statement concerning a Georgian soldier who has gone missing in Afghanistan.

The soldier disappeared on 19th December whilst serving with the Georgian Army in Helmand. The circumstances of his disappearance are as yet unknown. A Search and Rescue operation is currently underway.

Georgia has two battalions operating in Helmand province; 12/1 Infantry and 32/3 Infantry. 19 Georgian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2010.

Update: the body of Georgian Army Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze was found on 29th December 2012.

US Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Lipari

39-year-old US Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin E. Lipari, from Baldwin, New York, died in Logar province on 14th December 2012.

Sgt. Lipari served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Germany.

The circumstances surrounding his death are currently being investigated. More information to follow.

US Army Staff Sgt. Nelson Trent

37-year-old US Army Staff Sgt. Nelson D. Trent, from Austin, Texas, was killed from the blast of a bomb at Kandahar on 13th December 2012.

Staff Sgt. Trent served with the Fort Worth, Texas-based 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

On Thursday, a Taliban suicide bomber killed an American soldier and two Afghan civilians outside Kandahar Airport. It has not been confirmed if Staff Sgt. Trent was the casualty of that attack.

More information to follow.

US Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas Reid

26-year-old US Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas J. Reid, from Rochester, New York, died in Landstuhl, Germany on 13th December 2012. He had been evacuated to a hospital there after suffering injuries from a bomb blast in Sperwan Village on 9th December.

Staff Sgt. Reid, serving with the Washington-based 53rd Ordnance Company (EOD), 3rd Ordnance Battalion (EOD), was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He deployed there in September.

US Marine Sergeant Michael Guillory

28-year-old US Marine Sergeant Michael J. Guillory, was killed on 14th December during operations in Helmand province. He served with the California-based 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion.

Sgt. Guillory's mother told Fox News (see video news above) that her son had been in a patrol vehicle when it overturned.

"He was doing his job and the vehicle that was carrying him rolled over and rolled on him and killed him," she says. "I think one other person got hurt, but he didn't make it."

US Army Green Beret veteran of Afghanistan dies in North Carolina

31-year-old US Army Major Benjamin Follansbee, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, died near Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Monday 10th December 2012.

According to a report in TribLive News (and elsewhere on the internet), Maj. Follansbee apparently hanged himself on Monday in his Fayetteville, N.C., residence, quoting Gavin McRoberts, a spokesman for the Fayetteville police.

He served as an airborne Army Ranger in Iraq in 2005 and 2006. He later completed training as an Army Green Beret and did three tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Click here for the full story at TribLive News

US soldier dies in southern Afghanistan

An American service member died in southern Afghanistan yesterday (Friday 14th December 2012) from a non-battle related injury.

No further details are available as yet. More information to follow.

French combat troops leave Afghanistan

The last unit of French combat troops left Afghanistan today (Saturday 15th December 2012). Approximately 200 troops from the 25th Infantry Regiment, departed early afternoon. They had been responsible for overseeing the French withdrawal.

88 French military personnel have died during combat missions in the country since 2004. Click here for the list of French fallen.

Their departure means France has around 1,500 non-combat troops left in Afghanistan, most of them based in Kabul. They are due to stay into 2013 to take responsibility for repatriating equipment and training the Afghan army to take over.

After that, only a couple of hundred French soldiers involved in cooperation or training missions will remain in Afghanistan.

Click here for the full story at France24

US Army Staff Sgt. Wesley R. Williams

25-year-old US Army Staff Sgt. Wesley R. Williams, from Ohio, died on 10th December 2012 of injuries sustained from a bomb blast in Kandahar.

Staff Sgt. Williams joined the Army in July 2005 and qualified as a Paratrooper later that year. In 2006 he joined 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, based in Germany.

In 2009, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, the same unit he served with when he was killed.

He previously served in Iraq - from September 2009 to August 2010 - and deployed to Afghanistan as a Squad Leader in November this year.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, among others.

US Navy SEAL Nicolas Checque killed during hostage rescue mission

28-year-old US Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, from Pennsylvania, was killed during a mission to rescue kidnapped American doctor, Dilip Joseph near Kabul on 8th December 2012.

PO Checque was a member of the US Navy's Special Warfare Development Group, more commonly known as SEAL Team Six, the unit involved in the mission that killed Osama bin Laden. It has not been reported if he was part of the bin Laden mission.

He enlisted in the Navy in October 2002 and commenced training with the Navy's Special Warfare unit in April 2003. The 10-year veteran had previously deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

US soldier killed by suicide bomb at Kandahar

A Taliban suicide car bomber killed one American soldier and two Afghan civilians on Thursday 13th December 2012. The incident occurred near Kandahar Airport, shortly after US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta left the base.

According to Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi, the suicide bomber targeted a moving vehicle near the access gate to the military zone at the airport.

Mr. Panetta confirmed the death of one American soldier and said three others had been wounded in the attack. General Azimi confirmed the deaths of two Afghan civilians and fourteen wounded.

US Commando killed during hostage rescue mission

A US Navy SEAL was killed on 8th December during a mission to rescue kidnapped American doctor, Dilip Joseph. The hostage was successfully rescued.

In a statement from the White House, President Barack Obama said that in carrying out the raid in eastern Afghanistan, the commando team had shown "the selfless service that allows our nation to stay strong, safe and free."

The US soldiers killed seven Taliban insurgents in the pre-dawn raid that was launched when intelligence showed that the hostage was in "imminent danger of injury or death", NATO's International Security Assistance Force said in a statement.

The US Department of Defense later named the serviceman as Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque.

US soldier killed eastern Afghanistan

A member of the US Forces was killed in eastern Afghanistan earlier today - Sunday 9th December 2012.

Officials have confirmed that a US Commando was killed during a hostage rescue attempt.

North Dakota National Guard Sergeant Darren Linde

41-year-old US Army Sgt. 1st Class Darren M. Linde, was one of two North Dakota National Guardsmen killed in southern Afghanistan on Monday 3rd December 2012.

Sgt. Linde, serving with the 818th Engineer Company, died as a result of injuries received when the vehicle he was in struck an insurgent bomb during a route clearance operation.

This was his second deployment as a National Guard soldier. He served in Iraq with the North Dakota National Guard’s 164th Engineer Battalion from August 2007 to April 2008.

Sgt. Linde leaves his wife, Adrienne, and four children.

The other soldier killed in the same incident was 20-year-old Spc. Tyler J. Orgaard.

North Dakota National Guard Spc. Tyler Orgaard

20-year-old US Army Spc. Tyler J. Orgaard, from Bismarck, was one of two North Dakota National Guardsmen killed in southern Afghanistan on Monday 3rd December 2012.

Spc. Orgaard, serving with the 818th Engineer Company, died as a result of injuries received when the vehicle he was in struck an insurgent bomb during a route clearance operation.

The other soldier killed in the same incident was 41-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Darren M. Linde

More information to follow.

US Military fatalities, Afghanistan - November 2012

US Military fatalities, Afghanistan - November 2012

The following is a list of known United States Military fatalities in Afghanistan - November 2012:

26-Nov	Monahan Jr, Christopher	Corporal	25	Combat Logistics Regiment 2, USMC
24-Nov	Ebbert, Kevin R.	PO1	32	Naval Special Warfare
21-Nov	Shanafelt, Zachary	Spc.	24	1-84th Field Artillery
18-Nov	Means, Dale	L-Cpl	23	Combat Logistics Regiment 2, USMC
16-Nov	Hicks, Channing B.	Sergeant	24	1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment
16-Nov	Richardson, Joseph A.	Spc.	23	1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment
13-Nov	Battle Jr., Rayvon	Staff Sgt	25	38th Engineer Company
12-Nov	Stiltz, Matthew H.	Sergeant	26	1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment
10-Nov	Bennett, Kenneth W.	Staff Sgt	26	53rd Ordnance Company
09-Nov	Nehl, James D.	Captain	37	2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment
09-Nov	Carlson, Daniel L.	Spc.	21	3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment
5-Nov	Buttry, Brandon	Pfc.	19	3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
3-Nov	Venne, Dain T.	Staff Sgt	29	178th Engineer Battalion
3-Nov	Gornewicz, Brett E.	Spc	27	178th Engineer Battalion
3-Nov	Jayne, Ryan P.	Spc	22	178th Engineer Battalion
1-Nov	Kantor, Matthew G.	PO2	22	Naval Special Warfare

Two ISAF soldiers killed by IED in southern Afghanistan

Two North Dakota National Guard soldiers were killed in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan on 3rd November 2012.

Spc. Tyler J. Orgaard and Sgt. 1st Class Darren M. Linde died when their vehicle struck an insurgent bomb.

US Marine Lance Corporal Anthony Denier

26-year-old US Marine Lance Corporal Anthony Denier was killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan over the weekend.

L-Cpl. Denier, from upstate New York, had been in the US Marines for almost two years and deployed to Afghanistan in October. He was based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

More information to follow.

Funeral of British Army Captain Walter Barrie

The funeral of British Army Captain Walter Barrie, who was shot and killed by a rogue Afghan Army soldier on 11th November in Helmand province, was held at Glencorse Kirk in Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland yesterday (29th November).

Captain Barrie's 15-year-old son Callum, described his dad as "caring, funny and kind" in a moving tribute at his funeral, where around 1,000 people gathered. During the tribute, Callum said: "Today I don't just say goodbye to an amazing father, but also a best friend. Thank you, dad, for all the memories."

Captain Barrie had served for 25 years, including tours of Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan in 2008. He was most recently deployed to Afghanistan in August this year.

Serving with The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots), he had been mentoring a brigade of the Afghan National Army.

The service was followed by a private burial at Glencorse Cemetery.

Click here for full report and photo slide show at the Daily Record

Report from a front-line field hospital in Afghanistan

British medics on Afghanistan's front lines give a behind the scenes look at the world-class life-saving field hospital at Camp Bastion.

British Army nurse, Sergeant Malcolm Dick, swapped private medicine for a job on the Afghanistan front line.

Malcolm, 42, decided to join up after being touched by the experiences of troops in Iraq.

He is now a vital part of Camp Bastion’s field hospital – the most advanced and most effective trauma unit in the world.

The survival rate for wounded soldiers who reach the hospital is an astonishing 98 per cent, despite the horrifying injuries caused by the insurgents’ explosive devices.

The skills of the 250 hospital staff have been honed by caring for 2000 patients every month. Of these, 200 come via medevacs in superfast helicopters.

The survival rate is boosted by the lightning response of the helicopters, which get the average patient to hospital within 35 minutes of them being wounded.

Read the full report and view more pictures at The Daily Record

US Marine Corporal Christopher Monahan Jr.

A US Marine from Island Heights, New Jersey, becomes the latest casualty in Afghanistan.

26-year-old Corporal Christopher M. Monahan Jr., died in Helmand province on 26th November 2012 during combat operations in the area.

Cpl. Monahan served with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

More information to follow.

US Army Spc. Zachary Shanafelt

24-year-old US Army medic, Spc. Zachary Shanafelt from Michigan died on 21st November 2012 at Walter Reed Hospital, Washington.

Spc. Shanafelt was injured in an accident while he was in Afghanistan. He was evacuated first to a hospital in Germany and later to Washington.

He was serving as a field medic with a unit based in Fariyab province.

Spc. Shanafelt leaves behind his wife Marina, 13-month-old son Daniel, parents Patrick and Gloria, and brothers Christopher and Silas.

US Navy SEAL, Kevin Ebbert, killed in Uruzgan province

32-year-old US Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin R. Ebbert, from California, was killed during an operation in Uruzgan province on 24th November 2012.

PO Ebbert, a Special Warfare Operator, served with a Virginia-based Navy SEAL team.

More information to follow.

US soldier killed during attack in southern Afghanistan

An American soldier was killed during an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan today, Saturday 24th November 2012.

Update: US Navy PO1 Kevin Ebbert was named by the US Department of Defense as the casualty.

US Marine Lance Corporal Dale Means

US Marine Lance Corporal Dale Means, from New Prague, Minnesota, was killed in Helmand province on Sunday 18th November 2012.

The 23-year-old gunner died when the vehicle he was in struck a roadside bomb.

He deployed to Afghanistan in July on his first combat tour.

More information to follow.

US Army Sergeant Channing Hicks

24-year-old US Army Sergeant Channing B. Hicks was one of two soldiers killed in action on 16th November 2012 in Paktika province.

A statement issued by the US Department of Defense said they died "from injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire."

Sgt. Hicks served with the Kansas-based 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

The other soldier killed was 23-year-old Spc. Joseph A. Richardson.

More information to follow.

US Army Specialist Joseph Richardson

23-year-old US Army Specialist Joseph A. Richardson was one of two soldiers killed in action on 16th November 2012 in Paktika province.

A statement issued by the US Department of Defense said they died "from injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire."

Spc. Richardson served with the Kansas-based 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

The other soldier killed was 24-year-old Sergeant Channing B. Hicks.

More information to follow.

US Army Staff Sergeant Rayvon Battle

25-year-old US Army Staff Sgt. Rayvon Battle Jr., of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, died in Kandahar province on 13th November 2012. Serving with the 38th Engineer Company, his unit is tasked with mine and bomb clearance operations.

SSgt. Battle, from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, had served two tours in Iraq. The first was with the 1st Special Forces Group Support Battalion, as a gunner in May 2008. His second tour was with the 38th Engineer Company in 2009. He deployed to Afghanistan in November this year as a squad leader.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral “2”, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral “2”, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and Driver’s Badge.

Bomb kills two troops in eastern Afghanistan

Afghanistan, 16 November 2012: two ISAF troops were killed today from a bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan.

No further details have yet been released. More information to follow.

US Army Sergeant Matthew Stiltz

US Army Sergeant Matthew H. Stiltz, from Washington, was killed on 12th November 2012 by enemy artillery fire at the town of Zerok, close to the Pakistan border.

26-year-old Sgt. Stiltz served with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kansas.

He had served two tours in Iraq and had been in Afghanistan on this current deployment since June.

He joined the Army in 2005 after graduating from Shadle Park High School, Spokane. He was repatriated to Dover Air Force Base on 13th November.

Repatriation of Captain Walter Barrie scheduled

We have been advised by RAF Brize Norton - in Oxfordshire UK - that the Repatriation of British Army Captain Walter Barrie from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, will take place on Thursday 15th November 2012.

The aircraft will land at approx 1.30pm and the cortege will pass the Memorial Garden between 4.00-4.30pm, reaching the John Radcliffe Hospital between 5.00-5.30pm 

Captain Barrie was killed on 11th November in Helmand by a member of the Afghan National Army.

US Army Captain James Nehl killed on patrol in Ghazni

37-year-old US Army Captain James D. Nehl, from Gardiner, Oregon, was killed by small-arms fire on 9th November 2012 during a patrol in Ghazni Province.

Captain Nehl served with the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, part of the 1st Infantry Division based at Fort Riley, Kansas.

More information to follow.

US Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bennett killed by bomb in Kandahar

26-year-old US Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth W. Bennett, from California, was killed by an insurgent bomb on 10th November 2012 during an operation in the Sperwan Gar area of Kandahar province.

Staff Sgt. Bennett was an EOD Technician serving with the 53rd Ordnance Company based at Lewis-McChord, Washington with the 3rd Explosive Ordnance Battalion. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan.

He joined the Army in 2004 and trained as a bomb-disposal technician in 2006, moving to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in 2009.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 bronze loops, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, as well as other awards and ribbons.

British Army Captain Walter Barrie killed in Helmand

41-year-old British Army Captain Walter Reid Barrie from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS) was shot and killed by a man wearing an Afghan Army uniform in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province on Sunday 11th November 2012.

The incident happened while Captain Barrie was playing in a football match between British soldiers and members of the Afghan National Army at his base. His death is the latest in a string of attacks by members of the Afghan Army and Afghan Police against coalition troops.

Captain Barrie, from Glasgow, had served for 25 years and had previously served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He deployed on this tour in August.

He joined the Army in October 1987. He was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One in 2007 and became the Regimental Sergeant Major of 2 SCOTS. The talented NCO instructed at the Army Training Regiment Glencorse and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Archibald MBE, Royal Regiment of Scotland, Quartermaster Main Operating Base Price, said: "Walter’s cutting, self deprecating wit, easy-going manner and endearing personality will never be forgotten by all those who had the privilege and pleasure to have met and worked with him. Walter’s loss will be mourned across the Royal Regiment of Scotland. He was exceptional and I am immensely proud to have had the privilege of serving alongside him."

Captain Barrie leaves his wife Sonia and 15-year-old son Callum (pictured with him, above).

British Soldier Killed In 'Insider Attack'

Kabul, 11th November: A British soldier has been killed in Helmand province in an apparent "insider attack", by a man wearing an Afghan Army uniform.

Major Laurence Roche, the spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "I am very sorry to report the death of a soldier from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland who was shot by an individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform at his base in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province."

Update: the soldier has been named as Captain Walter Reid Barrie from The Royal Scots Borderers.

Remembrance Day on the front line

Under the hot Afghan winter sun, a bugler sounded the Last Post, ahead of a profound two-minute silence at the British headquarters in Lashkar Gah.

The servicemen and women here stood lost in thought, before the bugler sounded the reveille.

For those working and fighting here, this Remembrance Day is a very personal act of remembering the sacrifices made in war.

Though many of those gathered here are only in their twenties, many have already lost friends and comrades in Afghanistan, and before that in Iraq, giving the silence here a deeper resonance.

Lieutenant Colonel Matt Jackson, Commanding Officer of 40 Commando Royal Marines, says that for himself and his men, this Sunday is both a personal and a collective act of remembrance.

"Overall, the Royal Marines have taken a number of fatalities in Afghanistan: 61 since the campaign began, a number of friends among them," he said.

Read full story at BBC News

US Army Spc. Daniel Carlson

21-year-old US Army Specialist Daniel L. Carlson, from Running Springs, California, died in Kandahar on 9th November 2012.

Spc. Carlson served with the 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, based at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

More information to follow.

Digital Fallen Heroes memorial unveiled at Prospect Hill Cemetery

In a ceremony Saturday morning, Prospect Hill Cemetery at York PA, unveiled a new Fallen Heroes Memorial which features information and photos of more than 6,600 US soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

11 tolls of a bell rang across the cemetery to represent the number of years the nation has been at war in Afghanistan.

The Memorial features a 46-inch touch screen encased in black granite which displays a rotation of photos from a database of fallen US military personnel. Visitors can search for soldiers by name, state and date of death.

Full story and pictures at York Daily Record

Memorial honours Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan

A memorial honouring Canadian troops killed in Afghanistan was unveiled Saturday in a quiet section of a park located near Canadian Forces Base Trenton.

The Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial — the silhouette of a soldier standing in front of a two large granite maple leaves —stands near the north shore of Ontario's Bay of Quinte.

One of the granite leaves is red, inscribed with the Canadian Armed Forces emblem and provincial shields; the other is black and etched with the names of the 158 fallen service members who have died in Afghanistan since 2001.

Read full story at CBC News Canada

Repatriation notice of fallen Gurkha soldiers

We have been advised by RAF Brize Norton that the Repatriations of Lt Edward Drummond-Baxter and L/Cpl Siddhanta Kunwar, both of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, attached to 40 Commando Royal Marines will take place on Thursday 8th November 2012. 

The aircraft will land at approx 1.30pm and the cortege will pass the Memorial Garden between 4.00-4.30pm, reaching the John Radcliffe Hospital between 5.00-5.30pm 

Norton Way will be closed from approx 1.30pm, whilst Station Road, Brize Norton, will be closed for approximately 10 minutes once the cortege leaves Britannia Gate at RAF Brize Norton. 

There will be road closures in place at the Marston Ferry Road / Cherwell Drive Junction, Marston Road / Cherwell Drive Junction, and at the mini roundabout by the entrance to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

19-year-old US Army Pfc. Brandon Buttry

19-year-old US Army Pfc. Brandon L. Buttry, from Shenandoah, died on 5th November in Kandahar. According to a family spokesman, the young soldier was manning a watch tower when he died. 

Pfc. Brandon deployed to Afghanistan in August. He joined the Army in January this year and completed Boot camp at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served with the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

He was adopted at the age of three by Don and Pam Buttry. He leaves his parents, eight sisters and five brothers, along with other relatives and friends.

More information to follow.

US Army Specialist Ryan P. Jayne

US Army Specialist Ryan P. Jayne, from Campbell, New York was one of three soldiers killed when a roadside bomb exploded in Paktia province, eastern Afghanistan.

22-year-old Spc. Jayne was a combat engineer serving with the 178th Engineer Battalion, 412th Theater Engineer Command, based at Oswego, New York.

Spc. Jayne had just returned to Afghanistan after 10 days leave at home.

The other two soldiers killed in the blast were: Staff Sergeant Dain Venne and Spc. Brett Gornewicz

More information to follow.

US Army Specialist Brett E. Gornewicz

US Army Specialist Brett E. Gornewicz from Alden, New York was one of three soldiers killed when a roadside bomb exploded in Paktia province, eastern Afghanistan.

27-year-old Spc. Gornewicz was a combat engineer serving with the 178th Engineer Battalion, 412th Theater Engineer Command, based at Oswego, New York.

A local TV channel reported that Spc. Gornewicz graduated in 2003 from Alden High School, about 20 miles east of Buffalo, and graduated last year from Buffalo State College with a bachelor's degree in industrial technology.

More information to follow.

The other two soldiers killed in the blast were: Staff Sergeant Dain Venne and Spc. Ryan Jayne

Service held for fallen US Army Sergeant Clinton Ruiz

A memorial service for US Army Sergeant Clinton Keith Ruiz was held on Saturday 3rd November 2012. Family and friends gathered to view his flag-draped casket and to remember a soldier, father, husband and son. The 22-year-old soldier was killed in action on 25th October during a battle with enemy forces in Oruzgan province.

A photo montage of Sergeant Clinton Ruiz’s life was shown on stage as his father, Tony Ruiz, told the congregation: "Our son died doing something he truly believed in.”

Sergeant Ruiz was a decorated soldier serving with the 9th Military Information Support Battalion (Airborne) based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

US Army Reservist Dain Venne killed by IED

29-year-old US Army Staff Sergeant Dain Venne was one of three soldiers killed by a roadside bomb on 3rd November 2012 during operations in Paktia province, eastern Afghanistan.

He was serving in Afghanistan with the 178th Engineer Battalion, 412th Theater Engineer Command, based at Oswego, New York. Staff Sergeant Venne, from Port Henry, Essex County, New York, had previously served in Iraq.

According to local press reports, he was a graduate of Moriah Central School and was a student at St. Lawrence University in Canton before joining the US Army. It is also reported that he received the Firefighter Commendation Medal this year from Port Henry Fire Department for his life-saving actions in rescuing several stranded victims during August 2011 floods.

The other two soldiers killed were: Spc. Ryan Jayne and Spc. Brett Gornewicz, both from New York.

US Navy SEAL Petty Officer Matthew Kantor

22-year-old US Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Kantor, from Gillette, New Jersey, died on 1st November 2012 during operations in Zabul, Afghanistan.

PO2 Kantor was serving with an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, based in Virginia Beach.

More information to follow.

NATO service member killed in southern Afghanistan

A NATO service member was killed during an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan on 1st November 2012.

Update: the service member has been named as US Navy SEAL Matthew Kantor

US Military fatalities, Afghanistan - October 2012

US Military fatalities, Afghanistan - October 2012

The following is a list of known United States Military fatalities in Afghanistan - October 2012:

Date	Name	Rank	Age	Unit
31-Oct	Domion, Alex F.	Corporal	21	2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Div.
25-Oct	Memon, Kashif  M.	Staff Sgt.	31	96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne)
25-Oct	Ruiz, Clinton K.	Sergeant	22	9th Military Information Support Btn (Airborne)
23-Oct	Duskin, Michael S.	CWO	42	1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group
18-Oct	Wilson, Shane G.	Pfc.	20	3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment
13-Oct	Billings, Robert J.	Sergeant	30	5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment
13-Oct	Gordon, Brittany B.	Spc.	24	572 Military Intelligence Coy, 2nd Stryker Brigade
13-Oct	Savard, Ryan J.	Sgt. 1st	29	HQ Company, Army Special Operations
12-Oct	Del Mundo Tiu, Joel	Cmdr.	49	Logistics Forces, U.S. Navy Command, Bahrain
12-Oct	Macpherson, Thomas R.	Sergeant	26	75th Ranger Regiment
6-Oct	Schiro, Joseph L.	WO	27	1st Btn, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
6-Oct	Marquez, Justin C.	Staff Sgt.	25	1st Btn, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
3-Oct	Steedley, Camella M.	Sergeant	31	1st Marine Logistics Group
2-Oct	Henderson, Aaron A.	Sgt. 1st	33	2nd Btn, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
1-Oct	Butler IV, Thomas J.	Sergeant	25	514th Military Police Coy, 60th Troop Cmd
1-Oct	Hardison, Jeremy F.	Sergeant	23	514th Military Police Coy, 60th Troop Cmd
1-Oct	Johnson, Donna R.	Sergeant	29	514th Military Police Coy, 60th Troop Cmd