The Pentagon has released the identity of a US Soldier killed in action on 29 August 2019 in Zabul Province,Southern Afghanistan,just Northeast of Kandahar.He was SFC Dustin B. Ard,31,of Idaho Falls,Idaho.SFC Ard,a Special Forces Communications Sergeant serving in support of NATO's Resolute Support Mission,was reportedly taking part in an air assault on a Taliban militant-held area.The battle is being investigated.He is the fifteenth US service member to die in combat this year in Afghanistan,the highest death toll since the end of large-scale combat operations in 2014.*
SFC Ard was a member of 2nd Battalion,1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord,Washington State.On his second tour in Afghanistan,he had completed the Special Operations Sensitive Site Exploitation Course and the Special Operations Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course,among many others.*
Among SFC Ard's decorations were the Bronze Star Medal;Purple Heart Medal;NATO Medal;Army Good Conduct Medal (2);Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star;Combat Infantry Badge;and Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge.He is survived by his wife,Mary;his daughter,Reagan;and an unborn child.*
President Donald Trump said he plans to reduce the current US troop level in Afghanistan of about 14,000 to 8,600,pending the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Taliban Islamist extremists.*
"But ye are a chosen generation,a royal priesthood,an holy nation,a peculiar people;that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;"
- I Peter 2:9
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