US Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Ruffner killed in helicopter crash

US Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Ruffner, serving with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Company B, 1-104th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, was one of two soldiers killed on 9th April 2013 when their helicopter crashed during a reconnaissance mission in Nangarhar province.

34-year-old CWO3 Ruffner graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. He joined the military in 1997, serving initially as a mechanic in the Army Reserve’s 705th Transportation Company in Dayton, Ohio, before transferring to the Army National Guard’s 110th Infantry.

He went on to complete warrant officer training and transferred to the aviation career field in 2005 serving as an aviation life support equipment officer, tactical operations officer and instructor pilot. More recently, he was employed as a full-time Apache instructor pilot for the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility.

His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, three Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals and the Parachutist Badge.

The other Pennsylvania National Guardsman killed in the crash was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jarett Yoder.

The cause of the crash is being investigated.

US Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jarett Yoder killed in helicopter crash

US Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jarett Yoder, serving with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Company B, 1-104th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, was one of two soldiers killed on 9th April 2013 when their helicopter crashed during a reconnaissance mission in Nangarhar province.

27-year-old CWO2 Yoder joined the military in 2005 after graduating from High School the same year. He served as an infantryman and deployed to Iraq in 2008 with the 56th Stryker Brigade. In 2010, he became an Apache Helicopter pilot. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge.

As reported on the Pennsylvania National Guard website, CWO2 Yoder’s wife Heather Garay-Yoder released the following statement: "Jarett is my American Hero. He always dreamed of being an Apache pilot and he followed those dreams to continue to fight for our country. Jarett died doing what he loved and dreamed of doing, a true hero. There are so many people who love him and we will never forget. I love you, always and forever. Your loving wife, Heather."

The other Pennsylvania National Guardsman killed in the crash was Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Ruffner.

The cause of the crash is being investigated.

US Army Sergeant Michael Cable

26-year-old US Army Sergeant Michael C. Cable died on 27th March after being stabbed by a teenager in Nangarhar province.

Sgt. Cable, from Kentucky, was part of a unit tasked with securing an area for a joint US-Afghan meeting in Shinwar district of the province. At the time of the attack, he was outside the security cordon talking with a group of Afghan children. A teenager approached him from behind and stabbed him in the neck with a knife.

Sgt. Cable was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

His body was repatriated to Dover Air Force Base last week.

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 Army Spc. Sonny Moses

US Army Spc. Sonny J. Moses, aged 22, from Koror, Palau, died 18th April 2011 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered as a result of a grenade attack at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan on 16th April. 

Spc. Moses was assigned to the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

More information to follow

U.S Military Contractor, Paul Almryde

US Military contractor, Paul Almryde, aged 46 was killed in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan on 16th April 2011. A Taliban suicide bomber dressed as an Afghan soldier infiltrated a joint US-Afghan Army base.

Mr. Almryde was working for military contractor MPRI in Afghanistan as part of the Afghan National Army Corps support battalion. He was working as a mechanic teaching Afghan troops how to repair vehicles.

He had served in the military for 21 years, with 12 years of active service in the Army and 9 years in the National Guard, before retiring in 2010 as a Master Sergeant. He joined MPRI in May 2010 and was planning to sign another year-long contract with MPRI.

The attack also claimed the lives of five American soldiers of the 101st Airborne, and four Afghan soldiers.

US Army Captain Charles Ridgley

US Army Captain Charles E. Ridgley Jr., aged 40, from Baltimore, Maryland, died on 16th April 2011 at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, along with four colleagues. An Afghan National Army soldier threw grenades at the group in a suicide attack.

Capt. Ridgley was assigned to the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska.

He had two weeks left to serve in Afghanistan.

He enlisted in the army in November 1990. He served for several years and then left, but re-enlisted.

He was commissioned a quartermaster officer in January 2007 and was assigned to Fort Richardson. While there, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in global logistics from the University of Alaska at Anchorage. Relatives said he was working on his master's degree when he was deployed to Afghanistan about a year ago.

US Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles L. Adkins

US Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Lewis Adkins, aged 35, from Sandusky, Ohio, died on 16th April 2011 at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, along with four colleagues. An Afghan National Army soldier threw grenades at the group in a suicide attack.

He was a maintenance supervisor, serving with the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

He joined the Army in November 1995 and transferred to Fort Campbell in June 2002. 

His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Combat Action Badge; Pathfinder Badge; Air Assault Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge.

He is survived by his wife Sarah, son Garrhett, daughters Makayla, Mackenzie and Gabriella.

US Army Staff Sgt. Cynthia Taylor

US Army Staff Sgt. Cynthia R. Taylor, aged 39, from Columbus, Ga., died on 16th April 2011 at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, along with four colleagues. An Afghan National Army soldier threw grenades at the group in a suicide attack.

SSgt. Taylor was a wheeled-vehicle mechanic, serving with the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

She joined the Army in November 2003 and arrived at Fort Campbell in April 2004. 

Her awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge.

SSgt. Taylor is survived by her daughter Maggie, son Joseph and mother Judy.

US Army Sgt. Linda Pierre

US Army Sgt. Linda L. Pierre, aged 28, from Immokalee, Florida, died on 16th April 2011 at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, along with four colleagues. An Afghan National Army soldier threw grenades at the group in a suicide attack.

Sgt. Pierre was a human resources specialist, serving with the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

She joined the Army in November 2006 and transferred to Fort Campbell in September 2009.

Her awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Action Badge.

She is survived by her father, Jean Lamour and mother, Elvina Pierre, both from Immokalee, Florida.

US Army Spc. Joseph B. Cemper

US Army Spc. Joseph Brian Cemper, aged 21, from Warrensburg, Montana, died on 16th April 2011 at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, along with four colleagues. An Afghan National Army soldier threw grenades at the group in a suicide attack.

Spc. Cemper was a transportation management coordinator, serving with the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

He joined the Army in September 2009 and transferred to Fort Campbell in February 2010. 

His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Spc. Cemper is survived by his daughter, Liam, and his parents Eugene and Angela.

Five US soldiers killed named

Five U.S soldiers were killed 16th April 2011 at FOB Gamberi, Nangarhar province when an Afghan National Army soldier attacked them with grenades.

They are:

Captain Charles E. Ridgley Jr., aged 40 from Baltimore, Maryland. Capt. Ridgley served with the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, based in Alaska.

Sergeant 1st class, Charles L. Adkins aged 36 from Sandusky, Ohio

Staff Sergeant Cynthia R. Taylor, aged 39 from Columbus

Sergeant Linda L. Pierre, aged 28 from Immokalee, Florida

Specialist Joseph B. Cemper, aged 21 from Warrensburg, Montana

All four served with the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

U.S Army Sergeant, Robert Pharris

Robert Pharris

U.S Army Sergeant 1st Class, Robert Pharris, aged 48, was killed on 5th January 2011 in Nangarhar province. He died from wounds received from the blast of a roadside bomb.

Sgt. Pharris, of the Missouri Army National Guard, was serving as an agriculture specialist with the Missouri Agri-Business Development Team IV and was working as a liaison officer to 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry at the time of the incident.

He re-joined the Army after an 11-year break. He had served 14 years previously in the Army after enlisting in 1981.

U.S Army Specialist, Christian Romig

Spc. Christian Romig

U.S Army Specialist, Christian Romig, aged 24 from Kenner, was killed in Nangarhar, Afghanistan on 5th January 2011. He died from wounds recieved when an improvised explosive device detonated near him.

He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

In Afghanistan, Spc. Romig was a Cavalry scout and worked as a gunner on armoured reconnaisance vehicles.

In 2010, he won an Army Achievement Medal in Korea. Recently, he won a Combat Action Badge after coming under enemy fire in Afghanistan.

Japanese aid worker shot dead in Nangarhar

The bullet-riddled body of an abducted Japanese aid worker was recovered Wednesday, the latest grim symbol of insurgents' apparent determination to drive foreign humanitarian groups from Afghanistan. Afghan and Japanese authorities identified the slain man as Kazuya Ito, an engineer who was seized by gunmen a day earlier in Nangarhar province, east of Kabul.

 The Japanese engineer worked for an aid organization called Peshawar-kai, meaning the Peshawar group, based in Fukuoka, Japan. It is named for a Pakistani city just across the border that is home to hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees.

Ito, 31, was working on agricultural development projects in a remote eastern area of Afghanistan, Japanese diplomats and colleagues said. Authorities said gunmen stopped his car Tuesday near the city of Jalalabad, which lies on the main road connecting Kabul, the Afghan capital, and the border with Pakistan. Ito's Afghan driver was released unharmed.