US Special Forces Sergeant Riley Stephens

39-year-old US Army Sergeant 1st Class Riley G. Stephens, from Texas, died on 28th September 2012 after being shot by an Afghan National Army soldier at a checkpoint in Wardak Province.

Sergeant Stephens served with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), based at Fort Bragg. This was his fifth deployment to Afghanistan.

A highly decorated soldier, his medals and awards include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal with Valor Device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal plus many more.

Sergeant Stephens is survived by his wife, three children and father.

British Royal Marine Captain Carl Manley

41-year-old Royal Marine Captain Carl Manley died at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan on 24th September 2012. 

It is thought he died from natural causes. 

Captain Manley had been in the Royal Marines for more than twenty years. 

His Commanding Officer said of Captain Manley: "His combination of ferocious work ethic and humility ensured that he made a sustained contribution to ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] operations on this and his previous tours of Afghanistan. A highly valued Royal Marines officer, he will be missed by all those who worked with him." 

Captain Manley leaves his wife and three children.

British woman, Jeni Ayris, among victims of Kabul suicide bombing

British woman Jeni Ayris, from Edinburgh, was one of twelve aviation workers killed in Kabul on Tuesday 18th September 2012 when a female insurgent rammed a car laden with explosives into their minibus as they drove to Kabul airport.

Ms Ayris, who was born in South Africa but held British nationality, had been working in Afghanistan for just over a year as a customer relations manager for aviation firm Air Charter Solutions/BalmOral, organising private flights for charities and NGOs into and out of the country.

Eight South African colleagues of Ms Ayris also died in the attack.

Read the full story at the Daily Mail

British Army Captain James Townley

British Army Captain James Anthony Townley from the Corps of Royal Engineers died in Afghanistan on 21st September 2012. He died in Camp Bastion, Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, from wounds sustained whilst serving at Forward Operating Base Shawqat. 

29-year-old Captain Townley was born in Tunbridge Wells and grew up near Glastonbury in Somerset. Having received a first-class degree in Engineering and Computer Science from University College Oxford, he worked as a tax associate for Price Waterhouse Coopers before attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in January 2007. 

He commissioned into the Corps of Royal Engineers in December 2007 and promoted to Lieutenant soon after completing his Royal Engineer Troop Commanders' Course before serving in 28 Engineer Regiment, based in Hameln, Germany. 

He deployed to Afghanistan in September 2012 with 4 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 21 Engineer Regiment and was based in the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand Province as the Battle Group Engineer supporting 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. 

Lieutenant Colonel Chas Story, Commanding Officer, 28 Engineer Regiment, said: "James was an exceptional officer, a great character and unbelievably clever... It was impossible not to be drawn in by his passion and humour. He was on his third tour of Afghanistan and a volunteer for all three. He joined to be a soldier and he was determined to make the most of all the opportunities he could. The Regiment will be a poorer place without James."

He leaves behind his parents, Peter and Jacqui, his brother, Nick, and girlfriend, Helen.

Eight South Africans killed in Kabul suicide bombing named

Eight South African aviation workers in Kabul were killed on Tuesday 18th September 2012 when a female insurgent rammed a car laden with explosives into their minibus as they drove to Kabul airport.

They were working in Afghanistan for aviation firm Air Charter Solutions/BalmOral, organising private flights for charities and NGOs into and out of the country.

Their names have been released by the South African Department of International Relations and Co-operation.

"The Department has consulted with the families of the deceased and hereby releases their names with permission from their families," said spokesman Nelson Kgwete in a statement on Wednesday.

The victims were:

Christian Johannes Justus Pretorius, 30, from Pretoria, Gauteng

Fraser Angus Carey, 31, from Johannesburg, Gauteng

Brandon Quinn Booth, 47, from Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal

Johan Abraham van Huyssteen, 31, from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Johan Frederick Bouchaud, 30, from Johannesburg, Gauteng

Johannes Judenis Humphries, 65, from Centurion, Gauteng

Steven Leong, 31, from Johannesburg, Gauteng

Jenny Margaret Ayris, 46, from Scotland in the United Kingdom

British Army Sergeant Jonathan Kups

British Army Sergeant Jonathan Eric Kups, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), died at Camp Bastion, Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, on 21st September 2012. 

Sergeant Kups was from Nuneaton, Warwickshire. He joined REME in June 1992 where he trained as an electronics technician. In the early years of his career he specialised in radar and ground-to-air weapons, completing an operational tour in Northern Ireland. 

In 2011 Sergeant Kups moved to 104 Force Support Battalion REME before being attached to 4 Close Support Battalion REME for its deployment to Afghanistan. With his vast experience, Sergeant Kups was able to effectively lead and develop his soldiers in a very busy electronic repair section. A man of considerable military experience, Sergeant Kups was well respected by his section and by the unit as a whole. 

Major Kevin McLoughlin, Officer Commanding 1 Field Company, 104 Force Support Battalion REME, said: "Sergeant Kups embodied all that is best as a SNCO, a technician and a fellow-in-arms. His experience, maturity and team spirit secured his position as the man to get things done in the Electronics Platoon." 

Sergeant Kups leaves behind his wife and three children.

British Army Sergeant Gareth Thursby

29-year-old British Army Sergeant Gareth Thursby, of 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's) (3 YORKS) was one of two soldiers shot and killed by a rogue Afghan Local Policeman in Checkpoint Tora in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on 15th September 2012. The other soldier killed was Private Thomas Wroe.

Sergeant Gareth David Thursby joined the British Army in August 1999. After completing his training in early 2000, he joined 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment. His first deployment was to Kosovo in 2003 followed by Iraq in 2005. 

He passed the Section Commander's Battle Course to qualify for a posting to the Army Training Regiment as an instructor. Subsequently, he returned to 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment as a section commander. 

In October 2010 he was promoted to sergeant and assumed his role as a platoon sergeant in Alma Company. Sergeant Thursby was deeply respected by all that worked with him and all that knew him. His professionalism and strength of character were his hallmark, as was his commitment to his men. His unswerving loyalty, moral courage and sense of duty were an example to all. 

Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Stenning MBE, Commanding Officer, 3 YORKS, said: "We have lost one of our finest, Sergeant Gareth Thursby. His nickname 'Bull' epitomised everything; he was strong, confident and unbelievably robust. He was admired and deeply respected by his soldiers and peers for his soldiering skills, physical strength and forthright honesty. Utterly professional, his standards were legendary." 

Sergeant Thursby leaves his wife, Louise, and two children, Joshua and Ruby.

British Army Private Thomas Wroe

18-year-old British Army Private Thomas Wroe, of 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's) (3 YORKS) was one of two soldiers shot and killed by a rogue Afghan Local Policeman in Checkpoint Tora in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on 15th September 2012. The other soldier killed was Sergeant Gareth Thursby. 

Private Thomas James Wroe was born in Huddersfield. He joined the British Army on 5th September 2010 and attended the Army Foundation College at Harrogate. In November 2011 he completed his training and joined 3 YORKS. He was assigned to 3 Platoon, Alma Company as a Rifleman and completed demanding pre-deployment training, including qualifying as a Team Medic. 

Private Wroe spent several weeks working and training with the Battalion Rear Operations Group in the United Kingdom until he turned 18 years, deploying to join the rest of his Company in Afghanistan on July this year. 

Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Stenning MBE, Commanding Officer, 3 YORKS, said: "Private Tom Wroe had only been with us a few months, but in this short period he had made a significant impression on his fellow soldiers and commanders. Always eager and with unrelenting energy, he had pushed hard to join the Regiment in Afghanistan. 

"His humour and character really stood out. Whenever anyone asked how he was, his consistent reply was 'always happy'. This phrase captured the young man Wroe was. On patrol his professional skills were impressively high given his relative inexperience. When back in the isolated checkpoint, his humour and vibrancy shone through and energised those around him. 

"His quick wit, love of Huddersfield Town Football Club, board games and genuine 'can do nature' made him a popular member of the team. He already had that unique quality of command presence that an Army requires; people looked to him for leadership in dangerous and difficult moments. I have no doubt he would have attended and passed our Junior Leader Course, way ahead of his time." 

Private Wroe was 18 years old and is survived by his parents, Michael and Claire and sister Demi, from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.

British Army Lance Corporal Duane Groom

British Army Lance Corporal Duane Groom, from Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed in action when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province 14th September 2012. 

Born on 7 April 1980 in Suva City, Fiji, Lance Corporal Groom joined the British Army in 2007. Having completed the Combat Infantryman's Course at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, he moved to Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards, where he participated in public duties and ceremonial tasks at the royal palaces. 

Two years later he joined the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, participating in an overseas training exercise in Kenya before deploying to Afghanistan in September 2009 with the Queen's Company. 

Upon his return he made full use of his time, taking part in the Infantry Skiing Championships in early 2011 and attending a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer's cadre in January 2012. Newly-promoted, he deployed to Afghanistan for his second tour of duty in April this year as a member of the Operations Company in Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North). 

"He was the consummate professional; diligent, hardworking and unflinching in the face of any danger," is how Major Piers Ashfield, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, described Lance-Corporal Groom.

US Military fatalities - August 2012

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

Date	Name	Rank	Age	Unit
AUG
28-Aug	Cantu, Shane W.	Pfc.	20	1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment
27-Aug	Birdwell, Christopher J.	Sergeant	25	4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion
27-Aug	Anders, Mabry J.	Spc.	21	4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion
27-Aug	Jessica M. Wing	Staff Sgt.	42	1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment
24-Aug	Horne, Patricia L.	Pfc.	20	96th Aviation Support Battalion
22-Aug	Torres, Louis R.	Sergeant	23	2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment
19-Aug	Debose, Coater B.	Sgt. 1st	55	2nd Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment
18-Aug	Williams, David V.	Sergeant	24	1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade
17-Aug	Gregory T. Copes	Staff Sgt.	36	3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion
17-Aug	Darrel L. Enos	PO1	36	3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion
16-Aug	Hornsby, Brian D.	CWO	37	2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment
16-Aug	Krause, Suresh N. A.	CWO	29	2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment
16-Aug	Carson, Sean P.	PO1	32	USN EOD Unit
16-Aug	Feeks, Patrick D.	PO1	28	USN Special Warfare Unit
16-Aug	Essex, Richard A.	Sergeant	23	2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment
16-Aug	Oliver Galbreath, Luis A.	Sergeant	41	2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment
16-Aug	Warsen, David J.	PO2	27	USN Special Warfare Unit
16-Aug	Justice, James A.	Spc.	21	2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment
16-Aug	Demarsico II, Michael R.	Pfc.		23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade
15-Aug	Keller, Andrew J.	Pfc.	22	1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment
15-Aug	Holman, Eric S.	Staff Sgt.	39	52nd Ordnance Group
10-Aug	Manoukian, Matthew P.	Captain	29	1st Marine Special Operations Battalion
10-Aug	Jeschke, Ryan	Gun Sgt	31	1st Marine Special Operations Battalion
10-Aug	Mote, Sky R.	Staff Sgt.	27	1st Marine Special Operations Battalion
10-Aug	Dickinson, Scott E.	Staff Sgt.	29	3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment
10-Aug	Rivera Jr., Richard A.	Corporal	20	3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment
10-Aug	Buckley, Gregory T.	L-Cpl	21	3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment
8-Aug	Thomas E. Kennedy	Major	35	HQ Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team
8-Aug	Kevin J. Griffin	Sgt. Major	45	HQ Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team
8-Aug	Trent, Gregory R.	M-Sgt.	38	4th Btn, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
8-Aug	Gray, Walter D.	Major	38	13th Air Support Operations Squadron, USAF
7-Aug	Martin, Ethan J.	Spc.	22	1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment
7-Aug	Beauchamp, Clayton R.	PO3		1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment,
6-Aug	Linnabary II, Daniel L.	Corporal	23	2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division
4-Aug	Brown, Milton W.	Spc.	28	Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137
2-Aug	Bell, Russell R.	1st Sgt.	37	1st Btn, 508thParachute Infantry Regiment
2-Aug	Sitton, Matthew S.	Staff Sgt.	26	1st Btn, 508thParachute Infantry Regiment
1-Aug	Lambka, Todd W.	1Lt.	25	1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment
1-Aug	Lopez, Jesus J.	Pfc.	22	1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment
1-Aug	McClain, Kyle B.	Spc.	25	1433rd Engineer Coy, 507th Engineer Btn
1-Aug	Duarte, Curtis J.	L-Cpl	22	1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment

Australian Commando Private Nathanael Galagher

23-year-old Private Nathanael John Aubrey Galagher, serving with the Australian 2nd Commando Regiment, was one of two soldiers killed when an ISAF helicopter crashed in Helmand during an operation on 30th August 2012. 

Private Galagher was born in Wee Waa, New South Wales in 1989. He joined the Army in October 2007 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR). This was his second tour to Afghanistan.

On completion of his Selection and Training Course and Reinforcement Cycle, Private Galagher was posted to the 2nd Commando Regiment in November 2011. 

Private Galagher always put in 110% in every thing he did. He had a ‘can-do’ attitude, always wanting to get the job done and taking everything in his stride. He was an enthusiastic, young soldier who was very well respected by his mates from the Regiment. 

He leaves his partner Jessie, parents Wayne and Sally and sister Elanor.

Australian Commando Lance-Corporal Mervyn McDonald

30-year-old Lance Corporal Mervyn John McDonald, serving with the Australian 2nd Commando Regiment, was one of two soldiers killed when an ISAF helicopter crashed in Helmand during an operation on 30th August 2012.

He was born in Carnarvon, Western Australia in 1982. After joining the Army in May 1999, he was posted to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR). On completion of his Selection and Training Course and Reinforcement Cycle, Lance Corporal McDonald was posted to the then 4th Battalion (Commando), The Royal Australian Regiment, now the 2nd Commando Regiment, in August 2008.

Lance Corporal McDonald was quick witted and brought a positive energy to both his unit comrades and all those who served with him. A dedicated and enthusiastic professional soldier, he was always willing to come forward with ideas and solutions. He was a highly professional soldier, but his quiet nature and humility meant he always deflected credit back on to fellow members of his Company.

This was his sixth tour to Afghanistan. Lance Corporal McDonald is survived by his fiancée Rachael, his mother Myrna and stepfather Bernie, and brothers Percy, Roger and Gary.

Australian Army Private Robert Poate

23-year-old Australian Army Private Robert Hugh Frederick Poate was one of three Australian soldiers killed on 29th August 2012 by an Afghan soldier at a patrol base in Uruzgan. 

Private Robert Poate was a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group and was from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), based in Brisbane, Queensland. 

He was born in Canberra, in 1988 and joined the Army in 2009. On completion of his basic training, he was posted as a rifleman to 6 RAR. Private Poate was a highly qualified soldier, having completed specialist training as a Protected Mobility Vehicle Driver in 2010 and Protected Mobility Vehicle Commander in 2011. 

Private Poate was known for having outstanding leadership potential, which led to him completing a promotion course for Corporal in 2011. He will be fondly remembered by his ‘Brothers by Choice’ in 6 RAR as a larrikin and an incredibly professional soldier. Private Poate had a reputation for creating mischief without getting caught, and was proud of his family, his military service, his Canberran origins, and his red hair, which he vehemently defended as being ‘strawberry blonde’. 

He is survived by his parents Hugh and Janny, and his sister, Nicola.

Australian Army Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic

40-year-old Australian Army Lance-Corporal Stjepan 'Rick' Milosevic was one of three Australian soldiers killed on 29th August 2012 by an Afghan soldier at a patrol base in Uruzgan. 

Lance Corporal Milosevic, known as Rick to his family and Milo to his comrades, deployed to Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group and was from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, Queensland Mounted Infantry (2/14 LHR (QMI)) based in Brisbane, Queensland. 

Lance Corporal Milosevic was born in Penrith, New South Wales, in 1972. He enlisted in the Army in 2008. He was posted as a Cavalryman to the 2/14 LHR (QMI) in Brisbane in 2009 on completion of his basic training and initial employment training. His potential was quickly identified and he achieved outstanding course results in a short period of time; being promoted to Lance Corporal in 2011 and becoming a light armoured vehicle (ASLAV) crew commander. He was a highly-qualified soldier with a strong future. 

This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. He had previously served in Iraq. He leaves his wife and their two children.

Australian Army Sapper James Martin

21-year-old Australian Army Sapper James Thomas Martin was one of three Australian soldiers killed on 29th August 2012 by an Afghan soldier at a patrol base in Uruzgan. 

This was his first operational deployment as part of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group. He was a Sapper from the Brisbane-based 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment. 

Sapper Martin was born in Perth, Western Australia. He joined the Australian Regular Army in January 2011 and completed recruit training at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion in Wagga Wagga in April 2011, where he was allocated to the Corps of Royal Australian Engineers. 

On his arrival at the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, Sapper Martin became a member of the 7th Combat Engineer Squadron. He completed a number of additional courses including Combat Engineer High Threat Search, Communications and Weapon courses. Along with the rest of his Squadron, Sapper Martin Force Concentrated in Townsville with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in early 2012, in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan. 

He leaves his mother Suzanne Thomas, his younger brother and sister Angus and Holly, and his grandparents Lucille and Ralph Thomas.