Funeral for Sapper Richard Walker held in Washington

The funeral of British Army Sapper Richard Walker took place earlier today (30th January) at Our Blessed Lady Immaculate Church, in Washington, Tyne and Wear. Sapper Walker was shot dead on 7th January by an Afghan soldier.

23-year-old Sapper Walker was killed at Patrol Base Hazrat, in Helmand province after the gunman shot several Afghan Army troops. The gunman was killed during the incident.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral, held in Sapper Walker's hometown. In a tribute to the fallen soldier, Lieutenant Colonel Chas Story, Commanding Officer, 28 Engineer Regiment, said: "He was an amazing soldier, someone who worked hard and was a great friend and put his friends above everyone else."

US Army Sergeant Mark H. Schoonhoven

US Army Sergeant Mark H. Schoonhoven died on 20th January 2013 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He had been critically injured when a bomb exploded while he was serving in Kabul on 15th December last year.

38-year-old Sgt. Schoonhoven, from Plainwell, Michigan, was assigned to the Colorado-based 32nd Transportation Company, 43rd Sustainment Brigade.

This was his third tour in Afghanistan, having previously deployed there in 2007-2008 and in 2009-2010. He joined the Army in 2006.

Polish Special Forces Captain Krzysztof Woźniak killed in action

Polish Commando Captain Krzysztof Woźniak was killed in action on 23rd January 2013 during an anti-terrorist operation in Ghazni province.

The 36-year-old father of three was part of a unit supporting Afghan security forces in the province. During the operation, the units came under heavy fire from enemy forces. Several Polish soldiers were wounded in the attack including Capt. Woźniak.

He was evacuated by helicopter to the Polish military hospital in Ghazni but could not be saved.

Capt. Woźniak, a member of Poland's Armed Forces since 1996, had deployed on several overseas operations during his career. This was his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. was serving with Poland’s Elite Special Forces Unit (GROM).

Soldier killed during enemy attack in eastern Afghanistan

KABUL: A NATO/ISAF soldier was killed in eastern Afghanistan earlier today - 23rd January 2013 - after an enemy attack on a joint patrol.

The soldier was named as Polish Commando Captain Krzysztof Woźniak.

US Army Sergeant David Chambers killed on patrol in Panjwai

25-year-old US Army Sergeant David J. Chambers was killed in action on 16th January 2013 during a foot patrol in Panjwai, Kandahar.

His unit was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and Sgt. Chambers died from injuries sustained in the blast.

Sgt. Chambers, from Hampton, Virginia, served with the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.

He joined the Army in May 2009 and on completion of training in Georgia, he served with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, based in Germany. He deployed to Afghanistan with 2nd Stryker in June 2010 to May 2011. He arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in October 2011 and deployed to Afghanistan on his second tour in November of 2012.

Sgt. Chambers leaves his parents Julie and Michael among many friends and relatives.

British Army Kingsman Dave Shaw dies from injuries sustained in Lashkar Gah

23-year-old British Army Kingsman David Robert Shaw, from Cumbria, England, died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on Wednesday 16th January 2013.

Kingsman Shaw, serving with the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, was shot by enemy forces near Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province on Monday. He underwent two emergency operations in Afghanistan before being evacuated to the UK. He had been in Afghanistan since October last year. This was his second deployment to the country.

Acting Sergeant Mark Stevens, 2 Platoon, Corunna Company, 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, said: "To Kingsman Shaw, a missed brother-in-arms; you were an inspiration who helped me guide the rest of the platoon through adversity and danger. You showed true courage, exceptional bravery and demonstrated genuine leadership, even when it was clear your own life was in danger."

Soldier killed by IED in southern Afghanistan

A soldier serving with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan today, Wednesday 16th January 2013.

The soldier was identified as US Army Sergeant David Chambers

British soldier dies in UK hospital from injuries received in Helmand

A British soldier from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham today, Wednesday 16th January, from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.

The soldier was injured as a result of enemy action in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province on 14th January 2013. He was flown back to the UK for treatment.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Chris Boryer, said: "It is my solemn duty to report the death of a soldier from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment who has died as a result of wounds sustained whilst on duty in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province."

Update: according to the Cumbria News and Star, the soldier is Kingsman Dave Shaw.

Sergeant David Fernández Ureña buried with full military honours

The funeral of Spanish Army Bomb-disposal technician, Sergeant David Fernández Ureña, killed by a bomb in northwest Afghanistan on 11th January, was held on Sunday morning at the parade ground of the "San Genís" barracks in Monzalbarba (Zaragoza), Spain, base of the Bridge-Builders and Engineering Specialists Regiment Nº 12.

The ceremony was presided over by His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias, together with the Minister for Defence, Pedro Morenés, and the President of the Region of Aragon, Maria Fernanda Rudi, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other civilian and military authorities.

Read full report at the Leader

Repatriation notice - Sapper Richard Walker

The Repatriation of British Army Sapper Richard Walker from 28 Engineer Regiment, will take place on Thursday 17th January 2013 at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

The aircraft carrying his body is scheduled to land around 13.30 with the cortege due to pass the Memorial Garden at 16.15 before travelling to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Sapper Walker was shot and killed on Monday 7th January 2013 by a member of the Afghan National Army (ANA) at Patrol Base Hazrat in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Spanish Army Sergeant killed by bomb blast in western Afghanistan

Spanish Army Sergeant David Fernandez Ureña was killed in a bomb blast earlier today - 11th January 2013 - in northwestern Afghanistan.

35-year-old Sgt. Ureña and his unit were investigating a reported IED on a road between Qala i Naw and Darra i Bun. He was killed while carrying out reconnaissance work on the device and was preparing to defuse it.

Sgt. Ureña had previously deployed to Afghanistan in 2009.

More information to follow.

US Army Sergeant Aaron Wittman

US Army Sergeant Aaron X. Wittman, from Chester, Virginia, was killed during a mounted patrol in eastern Afghanistan on 10th January 2013. Enemy forces fired on his unit using small arms in Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province.

28-year-old Sgt. Wittman served with the Georgia-based 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment.

More information to follow.

US soldier killed in eastern Afghanistan

An American military service member was killed today - 10th January 2013 - during an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan.

The soldier has been named by the US Department of Defense as Sergeant Aaron X. Wittman from 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment.

British Army Sapper Richard Walker killed by Afghan soldier

23-year-old British Army Sapper Richard Reginald Walker from 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to 21 Engineer Regiment, was shot and killed on Monday 7th January 2013 by a member of the Afghan National Army (ANA) at Patrol Base Hazrat in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.

Born in Leeds, Sapper Walker worked as a technician for Vauxhall before joining the Army in July 2008. On completion of his training, he joined 28 Engineer Regiment in Hameln, Germany, in September 2009, and deployed to Canada and Kenya on major exercises. He deployed to Afghanistan in September last year.

Sapper Walker represented his Regiment at football and spent endless hours in the gym. His family said in a tribute to Sapper Walker: "Richard held two things close to his heart – his daughter and his colleagues in the Army. A proud, patriotic man, he died doing a job he loved, supporting his friends."

Lieutenant Brad Southall RE, Support Troop Commander, 42 Field Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment, said: "Sapper Walker was a shining star. When I took command of my troop I was struck by his charisma, his devotion to duty and his immense capability."

Staff Sergeant Sean Eaton, 8 Troop, 42 Field Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment, said: "Sapper Walker has a young daughter, Lilly-Faith, who was never far from his mind. He would often speak about her with everyone. I only knew Richie for a short time, but he has left a lasting impression on me and will never be forgotten."

Polish soldiers face second trial over Afghanistan killings

Four Polish soldiers previously acquitted of killing Afghan civilians in a war crimes trial in 2011 have gone on trial in Warsaw for a second time.

Eight people were killed in the Afghan village of Nangar Khel when Polish troops opened fire on a wedding party in August 2007.

Military prosecutors appealed after seven soldiers were cleared of war crimes in the 2011 trial for lack of evidence. The court upheld the acquittal of three but ordered a re-trial for the others, who insist they are innocent.

Click here for the full story at BBC.co.uk

British soldier shot and killed by Afghan soldier

A British soldier has been shot dead by a man wearing an Afghan army uniform on Monday 7th January 2013.

The soldier, from 28 Engineer Regiment, was killed at Patrol Base Hazrat in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.

Major Martyn Crighton, a spokesman for International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said that the soldier died after "an individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform turned his weapon against both Afghan National Army soldiers and ISAF troops".

He added: "During the engagement the attacker was killed and there were some other folks who were wounded. They were subsequently taken to an ISAF medical facility to be treated."

UPDATE: The soldier has been named as 23-year-old Sapper Richard Walker.

British soldier found hanged at his Swansea home

24-year-old British Army Trooper Robert Llewellyn Griffiths, of 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, also known as the Welsh Cavalry, has been found hanged at his home in Swansea, South Wales.

Trooper Griffiths, who had served on the front line in Afghanistan, was discovered at the property in Oldway, Bishopston, on the evening of Saturday 29th December.

Click here to read full story at Walesonline

Georgian Army Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze repatriated

The body of Georgian Army Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze arrived back in Georgia late on Wednesday 2nd January.

A transfer ceremony was held at Tbilisi International Airport and attended by Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Alasania and other dignitaries, including US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland.

Sergeant Kikadze went missing in Afghanistan on 19th December 2012. Following a 10-day search and rescue mission, his body was found on 29th December.

Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze was born in Borjomi on January 16, 1988. He joined the Georgian Armed Forces in 2009. After attending the basic combat training course in National Training Center “Krtsanisi”, Sergeant Kikadze was enlisted in the Artillery Battalion of II Infantry Brigade of GAF. He underwent a six-month pre-deployment training for the ISAF mission. He deployed to Afghanistan in October, 2012. This was his second deployment in Afghanistan.

Danish Special Forces Commando Rene Brink Jakobsen killed in Helmand

39-year-old Danish Army Oversergent (Warrant Officer) René Brink Jakobsen was killed late Wednesday 2nd January 2013 when a bomb exploded while he was on a foot patrol in the Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand province.

WO Jakobsen, a member of an elite Danish Special Forces Ranger unit had been in the Army for several years, according to a statement from the Danish Army.

He leaves his wife and three children.

Danish soldier killed by IED in southern Afghanistan

A Danish soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan late yesterday (2nd January 2013).

The soldier, serving with Task Force 7 - a Special Forces unit from Aalborg - died when a bomb exploded  during a joint foot patrol with the Afghan Police. The incident happened in the Upper Gereshk Valley, northeast of Gereshk in Helmand province.

He was evacuated by helicopter to a military hospital but died from his injuries. 43 Danish military personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2002.

The soldier has been named as Oversergent René Brink Jakobsen

Civilian contractor dies in southern Afghanistan

A civilian contractor, employed by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) died in southern Afghanistan on 1st January 2013.

The cause of death has not been published but it has been confirmed that the contractor died as a result of a non-battle related injury.

More information to follow.

More than 1,000 Afghan soldiers killed in 2012

Afghanistan's Defence Ministry announced on Sunday that during 2012, nearly 1,050 military personnel serving with the Afghan National Army (ANA) had lost their lives.

"Up to 1,050 Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel including officers and soldiers had been martyred in fight against insurgents and security incidents all over the country in 2012," General Zahir Azimi told a press briefing.

About 85 percent of army casualties were caused by the Taliban home-made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), he said.

Read full story at Sina

US Military fatalities, Afghanistan - December 2012

US Military fatalities, Afghanistan - December 2012

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

Date	Name	Rank	Age	Unit
DEC
29-Dec	Sims, Markie T.	Pfc.	20	38th Engineer Company, 4th Stryker Brigade
24-Dec	Mondragon, Enrique	Sergeant	23	173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
22-Dec	Price, Job W.	Cmdr.	42	Naval Special Warfare
14-Dec	Lipari, Kevin E.	Sgt. 1st	39	173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
14-Dec	Guillory, Michael J.	Sergeant	28	1st Marine Special Operations Battalion.
13-Dec	Trent, Nelson D.	Staff Sgt.	37	56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
13-Dec	Reid, Nicholas J.	Staff Sgt.	26	53rd Ordnance Company (EOD)
10-Dec	Williams, Wesley R.	Staff Sgt.	25	1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment
08-Dec	Checque, Nicolas D.	PO1	28	Naval Special Warfare
03-Dec	Linde, Darren M.	Sgt. 1st	41	North Dakota National Guard
03-Dec	Orgaard, Tyler J.	Spc.	20	North Dakota National Guard
01-Dec	Denier, Anthony	L-Cpl.	26	USMC