NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg farewell speech and conversation,19 SEPT 2024 - YouTube

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg steps down on 1 OCT 2024.He will be succeeded by Former Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte.Among Mr.Stoltenberg's takeaways was that the Afghan War went on too long.It should have ended when the Al Qaeda threat was eliminated,and not been transformed into nation building.

First Commander of NATO Ukraine Command Centre Germany Appointed

According to the NATO 75th Anniversary Summit in Washington DC Communique (July 2024),NATO decided to establish the NATO Security and Assistance Training for Ukraine (NSATU) to coordinate its provision of military equipment and training for Ukraine by Allies and Partners.Its aim is to place security assistance to Ukraine on an enduring footing,ensuring enhanced,predictable and enduring support.NSATU,which will operate in Allied states,will support Ukraine's self-defence in line with the UN Charter (international law).NSATU will not,under international law,make NATO a party to the conflict.It will support the transformation of Ukraine's defence and security forces,enabling its further integration into NATO.*The NATO Ukraine Command Centre Germany in Wiesbaden is located within the headquarters of U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAEURAF) and reports directly to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR),currently GEN Christopher Cavoli,U.S. Army.*The new NATO Ukraine Command Centre Germany's first commander is LTGEN Curtis Buzzard,U.S. Army.The Centre is devoted to providing Ukraine the military equipment and training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces it needs to prevail against Russian aggression.Having recieved U.S. Senate approval,LTGEN Buzzard leads about 700 personnel at the Centre.According to NATO:By using military structures,our support will be on firmer footing;will provide more predictability for Kyiv;and will address both immediate and longer-term needs.*LTGEN Buzzard,a man with a broad smile,is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy (West Point,New York).He most recently served as commander,Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Moore,Georgia,from July 2022-July 2024.Prior to that,he served as Deputy Chief Of Staff for Operations,Plans and Training of the United States Army Forces Command from January to June 2022,and as the 78th Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point,New York) from June 2019 to May 2021.Buzzard received a B.S. in Economics from West Point.He later received a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School and a Master of Military Science from the Marine Corps University.He then served as the U.S. Army Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington,DC.LTGEN Buzzard served as the 82d Airborne Division G3 and commanded its 3rd Brigade Combat Team.LTGEN Buzzard also served as the Army military aide to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.LTGEN Buzzard served tours in both the Iraq and Afghan Wars.In March 2021,LTGEN Buzzard became Deputy Chief of Operations in NATO's Operation Resolute Support,which trained and assisted Afghan Security Forces;Deputy Commanding General for Operations for U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A);and Commander U.S. National Support Element Command for Operation Freedom's Sentinel.LTGEN Buzzard is married and the father of three daughters.*LTGEN Buzzard's Awards and Decorations include Defense Superior Service Medal;Legion of Merit (3);Bronze Star Medal (3);Meritorious Service Medal (6);Army Commendation Medal (3);Air Assualt Badge;Army Staff Badge;Combat Infantryman's Badge;Expert Infantryman's Badge;Master Parachutist's Badge;Presidential Service Badge;Ranger Tab;and numerous foreign jump wings.

#PrinceHarry at the 10-year Anniversary of #WeAreInvictus + The Invictus Conversations - YouTube - 9 May 2024

Duke of Kent's final day as Colonel @ Scots Guards Annual Remembrance Day (14th April 2024) - British Army event - London Royal

HRH Edward Duke of Kent,cousin of Queen Elizabeth II,is himself a British Army veteran,serving for 21 years.In 1974,he became Colonel of the Scots Guards,serving for 50 years.He will be succeeded by HRH Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh.The Scots Guards have served in both World Wars,the Falklands War and Afghanistan.They are stationed at Wellington Barracks,London.

NATO's 75 Anniversary Celebration at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, 04 APR 2024

The French language is one of two official NATO languages along with English.The ceremony was held in the Agora of NATO HQ in Brussels,Belgium.

Top US general says Ukraine war has 'greater meaning' for the world

NATO Approves Nomination of General Christopher G. Cavoli

On 3 May 2022,NATO announced that the North Atlantic Council has approved President Joeseph R. Biden's nomination of US Army General Christopher G. Cavoli as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR),a post first held by General Dwight D. Eisenhower.General Cavoli will also be the Commander of U.S. European Command (EUCOM).He is currently the Commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate,he will succeed US Air Force General Tod D. Wolters and will take up his appointment at a change of command ceremony at Supreme Allied Command Headquarters in Mons,Belgium this summer.* General Cavoli was commissioned as an Infantry Officer from Princeton University's ROTC program in 1987.A veteran of the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan,he assumed command of U.S. Army Europe (USAEUR) as a Lieutenant General in 2018.When Africa was added to the command,General Cavoli was promoted to four star rank in 2020 and continued his service in Europe.* The son of an Italian-American US Army officer,he was born during the Cold War period in Wurzburg,West Germany.He is an Eurasia Foreign Area Officer,having graduated from Yale with an MA in Russian and East European Studies in 1997.He went on to be the Director for Russia on the Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate.* General Cavoli was Commander of 1st Battalion,32nd Infantry Regiment of 3rd Brigade Combat Team,10th Mountain Division.1st Battalion deployed to Kunar Province,Afghanistan in 2006.He then commanded 3rd BCT,1st Armored Division and was Deputy Commander,Regional Command West in Herat,Afghanistan.* General Cavoli speaks French,Italian and Russian.His awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal;the Legion of Merit (3);the Bronze Star Medal (2);the Joint Meritorious Unit Award;the Kuwait Liberation Medal;and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three service stars.He is married and the father of two children.*

Operation Allies Refuge:Airport Firefight Erupts With Unknown Assailants

On 23 August 2021,a firefight with unknown assailants broke out at the German gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.One Afghan guard was killed and three others wounded.There are about 600 former members of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces now serving as guards at the airport.German and US troops also took part in the hostilities,but sustained no casualties.It is possible the assailants were members of ISIL-K,the Afghanistan branch of Islamic State,as the US has warned of an IS threat to the airport over recent days. On 22 August,US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that: the threat is real,accute and persistent...We are working hard with our Intelligence Community to isolate,to determine where such an attack might come from.* Indeed,US President Joseph R. Biden said from the Roosevelt Room at the White House yesterday: I'm not going to talk about the tactical changes that we're making to keep the airport as secure as we can.I don't want to get into the details.We've changed the gate operations and a whole range of things.* The Taliban have agreed to having a larger safety zone around HKIA.* On 20 August,Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby,US Navy retired,noted that: Al-Qaida is a presence as well as ISIS (another name for Islamic Stae).We believe there isn't a presence of al-Qaida significant enough to pose a threat to the homeland.Obviously,we're going to maitain an overwatch capability.We do believe we'll be able to maintain a warning sufficient for counterterrorism. The secretary's not going to rule anything in out in order to get done what we have to do there.Now we've built up extra capacity in the past few days,the secretary feels we can accomplish the mission...We have flown in additiobal forces,so if there would be a need,we would examine those options and offer up options to the secretary.Every decision that has to be made has to weigh the risks and the benefits.If the secretary were to make a major muscle movement,he would want to ask the White House.* There have been reports of US helicopters flying out of the airport to pick up people from multiple locations,but Mr.Kirby said: I cannot confirm those reports.* According to CNN Senior International Correspondent Sam Kiley,the US is using secret methods to bring people into the airport.Reportedly,sensitive operations may be underway to rescue key individuals.President Biden had revealed yesterday that we have evacuated nearly 28,000 people since 14 August.*

Fortress Kabul:Thousands of Marines and Soldiers Going In

Since last Friday,the Taliban Islamist extremisits have taken over at least 16 provincial capitals in Afghanistan,including Herat,the country's third largest city,and Mazar-i-Sharif,the capital of Northern Afghanistan.The status of Kandahar,the second largest city,was unclear at this writing,but at the very least,Taliban militants had breached the perimeter yeaterday,causing chaos as small groups of them fired weapons near the Governor's palace.This blitzkrieg so alarmed US officials,including Secretary of State Antony Blinken,Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley,US Army,they devised a military plan to evacuate US diplomats and as many as possible of the Afghan friends of the US who served as interpreters,contractors and in other roles to assist the US Forces-Afghanistan.These friends number in the tens of thousands,by some estimates.The plan was presented to US President Joseph R. Biden yesterday,who authorised the operation,which has no name as of yet.The fresh troops will arrive in 24-48 hours and consist of: Two US Marine Corps battalions and a US Army battalion,totaling 3,000 troops,who will be based at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul; an Army and Air Force support element numbering 1,000 troops to be stationed in Qatar,but who can be relocated as needed;they are to process our Afghan friends for eventual resettlement in the US; an Infantry Brigade Combat Team numbering 3500 troops of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg,North Carolina,who are to fly to Kuwait and wait there to assist in the evacuation from Kabul if needed.* The three battalions of Marines and Soldiers were already in the US CENTCOM Area of Responsibility.They will be armed with mortars,machine guns and personal weapons for self-defence,according to Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby,US Navy retired.* The ANDSF were plagued by poor lines of communication,including inadequate logistics;a loss of confidence following the announcement of the US withdrawal;and the tribal culture of the country,coupled with a weak,corrupt and incompetent central government under President Ashraf Ghani.* Mr.Kirby declined to specify when the evacuation operation would conclude.About 1400 US diplomats reportedly remain in country,down from the original 4,000.They will be reduced further to a core group capable of carrying out a range of diplomatic functions,and,indeed,the US Embassy may even be relocated to the international airport to facilitate swifter evacuation if necessary.* An anonymous official said that Kabul could fall to the militants in as little as thirty days,but other observers believe it could fall even sooner.In the event of militant attacks on the evacuation,the operation could be designated a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO).* Mr.Kirby also said that we will be ready to help our NATO Allies if they desire it and they decide they need to further reduce their footprints in Afghanistan.Both military and civilian aircraft may be used in the evacuation process.*

US Continues Combat Air Role in Afghanistan - plus the future of the Iraq Mission

According to GEN Kenneth McKenzie,US Marine Corps,Commander,US Central Command: We have increased airstrikes against the Taliban in support of Afghan forces over the past several days,and we are prepared to continue this heightened support in the coming weeks if the Taliban continue their attacks.Taliban victory is not inevitable.* In addition,the US will continue giving the Afghan Air Force logistical support following the withdrawal of all US and foreign forces as of 31 August 2021.* Meanwhile,about 900 US troops,including some in Infantry Figthing Vehicles, continue to support Operation Inherent Resolve against Islamic State militants in Syria.With regard to Iraq,US President Joseph R. Biden received Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House yesterday.The two leaders discussed the ongoing strategic dialogue between the two countries,which includes health care;climate change;energy;strengthening Iraqi democracy;and security cooperation-especially our shared fight against ISIS (another word for Islamic State) and our counterterrorism effort.* President Biden noted that: Today our relations are stronger than ever.I think things are going well.Our troops will continue to train,to assist,to help,and to deal with ISIS as it arises.* Mr.Biden announced that the 2500 US troops in Iraq will no longer be in a combat role after the end of 2021,however.Indeed,it has been some time since they exercised such a function.NATO has a separate training mission in Iraq as well.* The Iraqi Security Forces still need more training.What is more,they need the intelligence support that the US troops provide through their presence in Iraq,observed CNN correspondent Arwa Damon.*

Change of Command:General Miller Relinquishes Afghanistan Command

On 12 July 2021,GEN Austin "Scott" Miller,US Army, turned over the colours of United States Forces-Afghanistan to GEN Kenneth McKenzie,US Marine Corps,Commander US Central Command,in a ceremony in the Afghan capital,Kabul.The event signified the effective end of US military involvement in the Afghan War,which began in 2001 following the 9-11 attacks.GEN Miller,60,was the longest-serving general officer in the Afghan War,having assumed his post as US and NATO Resolute Support commander in Afghanistan in 2018.He had previously served in Iraq and the Battle of Mogadishu.He is expected to retire shortly. On 14 July,GEN Miller was welcomed home at Joint Base Andrews,Maryland by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin abd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff GEN Mark Milley,US Army.He then met with US President Joseph R. Biden,who thanked him for his years of exemplary service. least 95% of US Forces have already left Afghanistan.Some 650 US Marines will remain in Kabul to provide US Embassy security.* Before departing Kabul,GEN Miller had told ABC News that: The loss of territory (to the Taliban militants) and the rapidity of the loss has to be concerning.* All US combat troops are to be out of Afghanistan by 31 August 2021.An over-the-horizon (out of country) counterterror capability is being developed for use as needed in the Southwest Asian nation.This could include CIA Predator drone strikes and possibly involve the CIA's Ground Branch paramiltary operatives,who were the first US Forces to arrive in Afghanistan in 2001.* Many districts in the country's rugged Northeast have reportedly fallen to the Taliban recently,with Afghan National Defence and Security Forces surrendering or fleeing to neighbouring Central Asian contries.Other districts have been retaken by the ANDSF.It is believed that the ANDSF are strong enough to protect Kabul itself at this time,given their airpower and 30,000 Special Operations Forces.

Two Green Berets Killed in Afghanistan Battle Identified

Two members of the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) died in a firefight in Sherzad District of Nangarhar Province in Eastern Afghanistan on 8 February 2020,the US Army said.The battle began when a person in an Afghan uniform opened fire on US and Afghan forces with a machine gun.Six other US troops were injured;while the Afghan Defence Ministry said one Afghan National Army Soldier was also killed and three others wounded in the battle.It isn't known whether the assailant,who was killed,was a member of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces or an infiltrator;the investigation continues.*
Those killed in action were SFC Javier J. Gutierrez,28,of San Antonio,Texas and SFC Antonio Rodriguez,28,of Las Cruces,New Mexico.The loss of the Green Berets brings the total combat deaths of US service members in Afghanistan in 2020 up to four.No one has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.It started as a key-leader engagement was dispersing.*
Both US troops were members of 3rd Battalion,7th Special Forces Group (Airborne),out of Eglin Air Force Base,Florida.They were posthumously promoted from Staff Sergeant and awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
SFC Gutierrez had previously served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Achievement Medal.SFC Rodriguez had earned his Ranger tab and served with 3rd Battalion,75th Ranger Regiment before re-classifying as a Cryptologic Linguist (Spanish) with the Special Forces.He had completed a total of ten deployments to Afghanistan,eight of them with the Ranger Regiment and two as a Green Beret.His awards included the Bronze Star Medal;Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.*
Let them be confounded and confused that are adversaries to my soul;let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually,and will yet praise thee more and more.
-Psalm 71:13-14

Bulletin:US Casualties in Afghanistan Combat

US and Afghan forces came under fire while on a combat operation in Nangarhar Province,a US official said.There were unspecified US casualties in the Eastern Afghanistan province,which harbours both Taliban and Islamic State militants.No further details are available at this time.

Afghan War:Pentagon Identifies Green Beret Killed in Combat Operation

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

US Army Paratroopers Killed in Afghanistan Identified

The Pentagon has identified the US Soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan on 29 July 2019 as SPC Michael I. Nance,24,of Chicago,Illinois and PFC Brandon J. Kreischer,20,of Stryker,Ohio.Members of Company B,1st Battalion,505th Parachute Infantry Regiment,3rd Brigade Combat Team,82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg,North Carolina,they were serving in support of the counter-terror Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
COL Arthur Sellers,commander of the 3rd BCT,said:
These young men were true All-Americans and embodied the qualities of selfless service and courage as they answered our nation's call to deploy to Afghanistan.*
SPC Nance was an automatic rifleman;PFC Kreischer was a rifleman.Among their decorations were the Purple Heart Medal,Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.*
At this time,it appears the paratroopers died at a US forward operating base in Karin Towt,Uruzgan Province,after having been shot by an Afghan soldier in the adjacent Kandahar Province at an Afghan military base,in a green-on-blue attack (insider attack).The shooting was praised by the Taliban militants as having been "sensible".The assailant was wounded and is in custody.The attack is under investigation.
Twelve American service members have been killed in action in the Afghan War so far in 2019.Thirteen US troops were killed in action in the war for all of 2018.*
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."
-Psalm 33:12

Two US Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Combat

On 25 June 2019,two US Army troops were killed in action during a combat operation in Uruzgan Province,Afghanistan,the Pentagon announced.They were serving in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel,the US counter-terrorism effort in Afghanistan.The Soldiers were killed by small arms fire in a firefight with Taliban militants.
Those killed were MSGT Michael B. Riley,32,of Heilbronn,Germany,and SGT James G. Johnston,24,of Trumansburg,New York.MSGT Riley was on his sixth deployment to Afghanistan.A communications seargent,he was a member of 2nd Battalion,10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).On his first deployment,SGT Johnston was a member of 79th Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal),71st Ordnance Group.
The battle is being investigated.*
These deaths bring the US combat death toll in the Afghan War so far this year up to nine.Last year's toll was 13.*
MSGT Riley had been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal;Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters;Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster;and the Army Good Conduct Medal (3).He was also awarded the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge and Marine Qualification Badge Expert-Rifle.
SGT Johnston had been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal;Purple Heart Medal;Combat Action Badge;and Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.*
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,to give unto them beauty for ashes,the oil of joy for mourning,the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;that they may be called trees of righteousness,planting of the Lord,that he might be glorified."
-Isaiah 61:1-3

US Marines Killed in Taliban Attack Indentified

The US Marines killed in action on 8 April 2019 near Bagram Air Base,Northern Parwan Province,Afghanistan have been identified by the Pentagon.All of them were serving in the 25th Marine Regiment,4th Marine Division,US Marine Forces Reserve.They were:
CPL Robert Hendriks,25,of Locust Valley,New York;SGT Benjamin Hines,31,of York,Pennsylvania;and SSGT Christopher Slutman,43,of Newark,Delaware.All the Marines were deployed through the Georgia Deployment Program-Resolute Support Mission,which is an ongoing six-month rotation in partnership with the Georgian Armed Forces in support of the NATO Resolute Support Mission.The Marines first deployed to the Republic of Georgia in Eastern Europe,where they trained and assisted the Georgian infantry in preparation for executing the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.*
SGT Hines and SSGT Slutman were previously acquainted,both having pulled tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008.SSGT Slutman was fondly called "the old man" in light of his age and depth of experience both within and outside of the Marine Corps.He had been a New York City Fire Department firefighter for 15 years in the Bronx,as well as a volunteer firefighter with the Kentlands Volunteer Fire Department in Prince Georges County,Maryland for 19 years.In New York,he was decorated with the Fire Chiefs Association Memorial Medal for rescuing an unconscious woman from a high rise apartment building fire.SSGT Slutman was married and the father of three daughters.*
"Be strong and of a good courage,fear not,nor be afraid of them:for the Lord thy God,he it is that doth go with thee;he will not fail thee,nor forsake thee."
-Deuteronomy 31:6

Bulletin:Two US Troops Killed in Afghanistan Combat

In a news release, NATO said two US service members were killed while conducting an operation in Afghanistan.They were killed by small arms fire.*
In accordance with Pentagon policy, the names of those killed in action are withheld for 24 hours following the notification of all next of kin.*
The incident brings the total of US service members killed in action this year in Afghanistan up to four.In 2018,13 American troops died in combat in the Afghan War.

Afghan War:Army Ranger Dies From Combat Wounds - plus another NATO casualty bulletin just crossed the wires

On 17 January 2019 in Landstuhl,Germany,US Army Ranger SGT Cameron A. Meddock,26,of Spearman,Texas,died from wounds caused by small arms fire he took during combat operations on 13 January in Jawand District of Badghis Province,Northwest Afghanistan.He was likely serving in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel,the US counterterror effort in Afghanistan.The province had until recently been considered quiet,but the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan group began filtering into the remoter areas there.*
SGT Meddock,the first combat death in Afghanistan for 2019,was on his second Afghanistan tour.He was a fire team leader with Company A,2nd Battalion,75th Ranger Regiment,out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord,Washington State.The Ranger's death coincides with a report by the Afghan Khaama Press news agency that a combat operation in Badghis Province has killed at least 10 ISIL-K Islamist extremists.*
SGT Meddock's decorations include the Purple Heart Medal;Joint Service Commendation for Combat;Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters;and the Afghan Campaign Medal with campaign star.
He was the husband of Stephanie Meddock,who is expecting their first child.*
Meanwhile,another NATO Resolute Support Press Release has just reached the desk.It says a US service member was killed in Afghanistan on 22 January 2019 as a result of enemy small arms fire.The incident is being investigated.In accordance with US Department of Defense policy,the name of the service member is being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete.More information will be shared as approporiate.*
My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
- Psalm 73:26

Afghan War:Fourth Service Member Dies from Ghazni Explosion

The Pentagon has announced that,on 2 December 2018,a fourth US service member,Army SGT Jason Mitchell McClary,24,of Export,Pennsylvania,died from wounds received in a 27 November IED attack on a convoy in Andar District,Ghazni Province,Afghanistan.SGT McClary died in Landstuhl,Germany,to which he had been transported for further medical care.He is survived by his wife and two children.
The convoy was on a mission to engage the Taliban militants,after Ghazni leaders had requested  assistance from US Forces-Afghanistan.Unlike the other three fatalities,SGT McClary was not a Special Operations Forces member,but an infantryman serving with the 1st Battalion,38th Infantry Regiment,1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team,4th Infantry Division,out of Fort Carson,Colorado.He was serving in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel,the extension of the original combat mission against Islamist extremists following 9-11.*
SGT McClary had completed a tour in Iraq previous to his current deployment to Afghanistan,which began in April.He had received two Purple Heart Medals even before this incident.Among his other decorations were the Army Commendation Medal with Valor;Army Commendation Medal (Combat);NATO Medal;Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star;Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star;and the Combat Infantry Badge.*
LTC Christopher Roberts,commander,1st Battalion,38th Infantry Regiment,said that:
SGT McClary served honorably as an up-armored vehicle gunner for the Attack Company.His memory and contributions will never be forgotten.*
Two other US service members and a contractor were wounded in the attack.SGT McClary's death brings the US fatality count in Afghanistan for 2018 to 14,with five of them having occurred in November.*
"Rejoice not against me,O mine enemy;when I fall,I shall arise;when I sit in darkness,the Lord shall be a light unto me."
-Micah 7:8