French Army CWO Thierry Serrat killed by suicide bomber

46-year-old French Army Chief Warrant Officer Thierry Serrat was one of four French military personnel killed by a suicide bomber disguised as a woman and wearing a burqa on 9th June 2012.

CWO Serrat was among a unit of French forces who were responding to a report of a bomb planted under a bridge. They were in the main market area of the Nijrab district in eastern Kapisa province when the bomber walked up to them and detonated his explosives.

CWO Serrat had 28 years of service with the French Army. In 1985 he was promoted to Sergeant and joined the 51st Regiment of Artillery. He was promoted to CWO in December 1990. In 1993 he joined the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment.

During his long career, CWO Serrat served in New Caledonia (1995), Reunion (2000), Côte d'Ivoire (2002), Afghanistan (2008 and 2010) and Lebanon (2009) where he was commended for his exemplary operational behavior. He deployed to Afghanistan on this tour in June this year as part of Operation PAMIR heading a CIMIC (civil-military) team in Kapisa. Team "CIMIC" (civil-military) in Kapisa, Major Thierry Serrat was killed and three

He leaves behind his wife and two children aged 18 and 20 years. CWO Serrat was declared "killed in action."