Operation Inherent Resolve:RAF Pounds IS in Iraq as Green Berets Patrol Northern Syria

The war on Islamic State continues unabated in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, despite the global pandemic coalition forces are also dealing with.This has been made clear as Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) conducted various operations in recent days.
On 28 April 2020,two RAF Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, flying out of RAF Arotiri, Cyprus,staged a night raid on an IS stronghold in the Hamrin Mountains​ of Northern Iraq.They acted when military intelligence revealed the militants were hiding in the warren of caves and tunnels they maintain in the rugged mountainous terrain Northeast of Bayji,Iraq.The Typhoons successfully delivered their Pavehawk IV guided munitions on their​ targets, the British Ministry of Defence announced.Defence Minister Ben Wallace noted that:
The Daesh (another name for IS) threat is relentless and so will we be.*
Also participating in the raid were a Voyager refueling tanker plane and other unidentified OIR aircraft. The Hamrin Mountains are used by IS to smuggle weapons; facilitate senior leader movements; and plot terrorist attacks in the region,CJTF-OIR stated.Daesh senior leaders and their operatives have used the mountains​ as one of their last operating areas in Iraq.*
Following the raid,Iraqi Security Forces found IS documents; electronic devices; and fragments of weapons and other gear in the caves, some of which were rendered inaccessible.Initial estimates show that 5-10 militants were killed.Follow on searches continue.*
The next day,29 April 2020, the MaT partner forces and US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) conducted a joint patrol in the At Tanf,Syria area to continue the mission to defeat remaining elements of Daesh and set conditions for their lasting defeat, the Global Coalition said, adding that:
While the terrorist group no longer occupies territory in Iraq and Syria,it remains a threat there and elsewhere.
The Global Coalition will continue its comprehensive efforts in Iraq and Syria, and globally, to deny ISIS's (another name for IS) ambitions and the activities of its branches and networks, until the job is done.*
On 16 April, the Political Directors of the Global Coalition Defeat Daesh/ISIS Small Group had met, agreeing to maintain maximum pressure on Daesh/ISIS despite the several and multifaceted challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.*

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

Green Beret Killed in Afghan War Identified

The Green Beret killed on 23 December in Afghanistan has been identified by the US Army as SFC Michael James Gobel,33,of Westwood Township, New Jersey.He was killed in Kunduz Province, Northern Afghanistan while supporting combat operations in the province, several districts of which are controlled by the Taliban.*
The Taliban claimed they blew SFC Gobel's
 vehicle up with an IED in Chardara District as the US and Afghan National Defence and Security Forces conducted a joint combat operation in the stategically significant province,a gateway to Northern Afghanistan.*
SFC Gobel was a member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.In his third deployment to Afghanistan, he had completed several courses, including the Special Forces Sniper Course; Military Freefall Advanced Tactical Insertion Course; Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant Course; Special Operations Force Surveillance Operator; and Advanced Special Operations Techniques-Level III Course.
Among his decorations were the Bronze Star Medal (4) and the Army Commendation Medal with combat "V" device.*
SFC Gobel is survived by his partner and  a young daughter.*
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
- Ephesians 6:10-11

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

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

Pentagon Identifies US Soldiers Killed in Action

The Pentagon has released the names of two US Army troops NATO said were killed by small arms fire in Afghanistan.They are SFC Will D. Lindsay,33,of Cortez, Colorado and SPC Joseph P. Collette,29, of  Lancaster, Ohio.
Pentagon sources said they were on a joint Operation with Afghan National Defence and Security Force​s in Kunduz Province, Northern Afghanistan,a site of periodic assaults by Taliban militants.*
An Afghan source reported that Coalition aircraft provided close air support during the battle.*
SFC Lindsay was a member of the 2nd Battalion,10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). SPC Collette was a member of the 71st Explosive Ordnance Group,242nd Ordnance Battalion, and was assigned to a Special Forces unit.
SFC Lindsay had pulled five tours in Iraq, plus tours in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, where he was supporting the counter-terror Operation Freedom's Sentinel.His decorations include the Purple Heart Medal; Bronze Star Medal;and Valorous Unit Award.He was married and the father of four daughters.*
ANDSF members were reportedly also killed during the operation.*
For I am persuaded, that neither death,nor life,nor  angels,nor principalities,nor powers,nor things present,nor things to come,
Nor height,nor depth,nor any creature,shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Romans 8:38-39

US Troops Killed in Ghazni,Afghanistan Identified - General Miller Visited Province Armed with Long Rifle

Three Special Operations Forces members,including two Green Berets,serving in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel,the US antiterror campaign in Afghanistan,
were killed in Andar,Ghazni Province,Afghanistan on 27 November 2018.They were traveling in a convoy on the way to engage the enemy when an IED struck their vehicle.Three other US troops were wounded,as well as a civilian contractor.They were medevaced out for advanced treatment.The Taliban Islamist extremists claimed responsibility for the blast.
Those killed in action were identified as:
CPT Andrew P. Ross,US Army,29,of Lexington,Virginia;
SFC Eric M. Emond,US Army,39,of Brush Prairie,Washington State;
SSgt Dylan J. Elchin,25,US Air Force,of Hookstown,Pennsylvania.
CPT Ross and SFC Emond were members of 1st Battalion,3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne),out of Fort Bragg,North Carolina.SSgt Elchin was a member of  24th Special Operations Wing,26th Special Tactics Squadron,out of Cannon Air Force Base,New Mexico.*
COL Nathan Prussian,commander,3rd Special Forces Group,noted that:
Andrew and Eric were invaluable members and leaders in 3rd Special Forces Group and the Special Operations community.Our most heartfelt condolences go out to the families of these brave men.*
CPT Ross was on his second deployment.Among his decorations were the Bronze Star Medal (second award),Purple Heart Medal,NATO Medal,and the Combat Action Badge.He is survived by his wife and his parents.
SFC Emond was a veteran of more than 21 years of military service,both in the US Marines and the US Army.He was in his seventh deployment.Highly decorated,some of the awards he had earned were the Bronze Star Medal (third award),the Meritorious Service Medal,the NATO Achievement Medal (second award),the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal,and the Combat Action Badge.He is survived by his wife and three children.
SSgt Elchin was a special tactics combat controller,advising the ground forces commander,directing close air support aircraft,and delivering destructive ordnance on enemy targets in support of offensive combat operations.His decorations included the Bronze Star Medal,Army Commendation Medal with Valor,Air Force Combat Action Medal,and the NATO Medal.
LTC Gregory Walsh,commander of 26th Special Tactics Squadron,said that:
Dylan had an unusual drive to succeed and contribute to the team.He displayed maturity and stoicism beyond his years and was always level-headed,no matter what the situation.*
SSgt Elchin is survived by his fiancée and his parents.*
On 22 November 2018,GEN Austin S. Miller,commander,NATO Resolute Support Mission and US Forces-Afghanistan,visited Ghazni to encourage the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in their struggle,with US assistance, to secure the unstable province.He was photographed carrying his M4 carbine long rifle,which is quite unusual for a general officer to be seen carrying.Another notable instance of a well-armed general was that of General Matthew Ridgway in the Korean War,wearing grenades on his vest.
His spokesman said GEN Miller just hadn't found anywhere to put it.The general varies his armament according to the circumstances and the location.Sometimes he takes his M4;sometimes he doesn't.*
"They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted.
 They fell with their faces to the foe."
-Robert Laurence Binyon,from "For the Fallen"

Afghan War:Taliban Mount Fierce Offensives,Seizing Most of Ghazni Province - Green Beret killed in action further south

Despite having met with US officials in Doha,Qatar recently in an effort to begin a dialogue,the Taliban Islamist extremists showed no desire for peace in recent days as up to 1,000 of them,having seized most of Ghazni Province,overran the provincial captal,Ghazni city on 10 August 2018.The massive assault on the city of about 280,000 took place in the pre-dawn hours and came from every direction.
Afghan National Defence and Security Forces fell back to protect critical defence-related buildings such as the police station,military bases and a prison;while the militants continued to control the neighbourhoods,local residents said.Many residents fled as power,food,water and medicine were cut off in the heat of combat.
The US conducted at least 16 air strikes in support of the ANDSF,killing some 200 Taliban,and a limited number of US troops stayed at the front lines to advise and assist their Afghan colleagues on the ground.About 100 ANDSF and 25 civilians were killed in the brazen seige,and hundreds more were wounded.
The Taliban had "achieved nothing,"NATO said.*
The Taliban were reportedly assisted by a number of foreign fighters from Pakistan and Chechnya,as well as al-Qaida elements.*
Also on 10 August,the Taliban swept over an Afghan SOF base in Ajristar district,killing at least 70 Afghan commandos and police.*
On 12 August,a US Soldier,SSGT Reymund R. Transfiguracion,36,of Waikaloa,Hawaii,was killed in action while on a combat patrol operation to the south,in Helmand Province,when an IED exploded near him.The incident is being investigated.SSGT Transfiguracion,a native of the Philippines,was a member of 3rd Battalion,1st Special Forces Group (Airborne),out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord,Washington State.Initially a member of the Hawaii National Guard,he had previously pulled tours in Iraq and the Phillipines.
Among his decorations were the Purple Heart Medal (second award);Army Achievement Medal (third award);Army Good Conduct Medal (third award);Combat Action Badge;and Air Assault Badge.*

Special Report:US Soldier KIA in Somalia Identified - Green Beret had intel links

The Pentagon has identified the US Army Soldier killed in action by the al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabaab on Friday in Somalia as SSG Alexander W. Conrad,26,of Chandler,Arizona.The native of Mesa,Arizona was a member of 1st Battalion,3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Fort Bragg,North Carolina.SSG Conrad was serving alongside Somali National Security Forces and Kenyan Defence Forces in Jubaland State when they were attacked around 1445 hrs by mortars and small arms fire.He was killed by indirect enemy fire,i.e.,mortar shells or an IED.Four other US Soldiers and a Somali Soldier were wounded.
The allied forces were on a clearing operation to remove al-Shabaab from contested areas and villages and establish a permanent combat outpost to expand the control of the the Somali Federal Government.*
According to 3rd Special Forces Group,SSG Conrad had joined the Army in 2010 and,following basic and follow-on training,was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord,Washington State,as a human intelligence (HUMINT) collector.While stationed at the Joint Base,he pulled two tours in Afghanistan.Subsequently,SSG Conrad advanced his HUMINT collection skills by completing the French Basic Language Course at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey,California in 2016.He was consequently assigned to 3rd SFG as a HUMINT Non-Commissioned Officer.*
By way of context,it should be noted that,indeed,3rd SFG has from its inception in 1963 been oriented to Africa and the Middle East,being nearly continuously active in the wars in Afghanistan and,somewhat less,in Iraq as well,at the peak of those conflagrations.As the US role in these wars was reduced,3rd SFG began to shift its emphasis to Africa and the rise of militant Islam on that continent.
Before SSG Conrad's death,3rd SFG had sustained four other KIAs in Africa in October 2017,when four of its Soldiers were killed in Niger in West Africa.
The remaining al-Shabaab stronghold in Somalia is the regions around the capital,Mogadishu.At the time of the Jubaland engagement,the 3rd SFG was providing advice,assistance and aerial surveillance to the African forces there by means including an armed UAV. *
SSG Conrad was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medals.He had also been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal (3rd award);Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd award);Combat Action Badge;Basic Parachutist Badge;and Meritorious Unit Commendation (second award).*
"Greater love hath no man than this,that a man lay down his life for his friends."
- John 15:13                 '

Soldier Killed in Action Identified - Green Beret was immigrant from the Baltic States

The office of Senator Cory Booker,D-New Jersey,has identified the US Soldier who was killed in Achin district of Nangarhar Province,Afghanistan on 1 January 2018.US Army First Sergeant Mihail Golin,34,of Fort Lee,New Jersey,was killed by enemy fire while on dismounted patrol in the mountainous region near the Pakistani border that has been the haven of ISIL-K Islamist extremists.SGT Golin was a member of the 2nd Battalion,10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Fort Carson,Colorado.*
SGT Golin had immigrated to the US from NATO Ally Latvia when he was 21.His father,David Golin,said he was proud of his son,who wanted to serve his new country.Other survivors include SGT Golin's ex-wife and a daughter,6.*
It's been pointed out by several media outlets that NATO's Resolute Support Mission commander,US Army General John Nicholson,has warned that the President's new,more assertive South Asia policy would expose US troops to more danger in Afghanistan.They are embedding with Afghan National Defence and Security Forces closer to the front lines,in addition to continuing the counterterror raids that were already being staged with Afghan commandos.

Update:Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Identified - Special Forces member

US Forces Afghanistan in Kabul has released the identity of the fallen US Soldier killed in action against ISIL-K on 16 August 2017 in Achin district of Nangarhar Province Afghanistan:
Staff Sergeant Aaron Rhett Butler,27,of Monticello,Utah.
SSGT Butler was a Special Forces engineer with the 19th Special Forces Group of the Utah Army National Guard out of Salt Lake City.Sixteen other US service members were wounded in the raid.Fourteen of them were treated and released and the other two remain under hospital care.*
SSGT Butler was reportedly clearing a building with his unit when an IED exploded.The Soldiers were on a partnered operation with the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan.
General John Nicholson,Commander of all US and NATO Forces in Afghanistan,said that,despite the latest causalties,they were determined to continue the struggle against ISIL-K.*
On 17 August,General Mark Milley,Chief of Staff US Army,arrived in Kabul for meetings with Afghan defence officials.

US Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Firefight Identified

The Pentagon announced that Staff Sergeant Mark R DeAlencar,37,of Edgewood,Maryland,died on 8 April 2017 in Nangarhar Province,Afghanistan,when his unit took small arms fire from ISIL militants during combat operations with Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.SSGT DeAlencar was assigned to 1st Battalion,7th Special Forces Group (Airborne),based at Eglin Air Force Base,Florida.
The Green Beret was a graduate of Joppatowne High School in Harford County,Maryland.He was the husband of Natasha DeAlencar and the father of five.His body was flown to Dover AFB,Delaware,where it was received in a dignified manner.He is to be interred in Arlington National Cemetery.
SSGT DeAlencar was serving in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel,the US role in NATO's Resolute Support Mission,which consists of train,advise and assist activities,as well as counterterrorism operations.

Special Report:US Army Green Berets,Afghan Special Forces Killed in Joint NATO-Afghan Raid

Early on Thursday,3 November 2016,five Special Operations Forces members,including two US Army Green Berets and three Afghan Special Forces members,died in heavy combat with Taliban militants in Kunduz Province,Northern Afghanistan.The joint NATO-Afghan counterterror raid targeted senior Taliban commanders.It ended when airstrikes by both Afghan and then,when the Afghans did not succeed by themselves,NATO aircraft,were called in to rescue friendly forces surrounded by enemy fire,according to the Afghan Defence Ministry.*
Killed in the battle were Captain Andrew D. Byers,30,of Rolesville,North Carolina and Sergeant First Class Ryan A. Gloyer,34,of Greenville,Pennsylvania.CAPT Byers and SGT Gloyer were assigned to 2nd Battalion,10th Special Forces Group(Airborne),Fort Carson,Colorado.The 10th Special Forces Group(Airborne) conducts combat,unconventional warfare,special reconnaissance and foreign internal defence missions focused mainly in the US European Command Area of Responsibility.Since 9-11,they have seen action in both the Afghan and Iraq Wars,as well as service in Africa.*
Reports of up to 24 civilians being killed in the battle are being investigated by the US State Department.The Kunduz Provincial Police said the Islamist extremist Taliban took refuge in civilian homes in the village of Buze Kandahari,where the battle was concentrated,using them as human shields.Buze Kandahari is near Kunduz city,a frequent flash point in the 15 year-long conflict.

Brazen Attacks Rock Kabul,Afghanistan - Green Beret killed

Taliban militants penetrated the outer perimeter of Camp Integrity,a NATO base in Kabul,Afghanistan and HQ for the US Army Green Berets.The intruders detonated a bomb and engaged in a firefight with security forces,killing a decorated Green Beret,Master Sergeant Peter Andrew McKenna,35,of the 1st Battalion,7th Special Forces Group,with small arms fire.MSGT McKenna,of Bristol,Rhode Island,was a 17-year Army veteran who had served in Iraq as well,receiving a Bronze Star with V device for heroism in combat operations,as well as the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.On Independence Day,he was presented with a flag that had flown over the US Capitol by Senator Jack Reed,D-Rhode Island.*
The Taliban assault was part of a wave of terrorist attacks last Friday through Monday in the Afghan capital Kabul.Two other US troops were wounded in the Camp Integrity attack.Eight Afghan contractors and four militants also died in the battle,which was within hours of an attack on the police academy in Kabul,in which 20 cadets were killed and 24 others wounded at he academy gates.
In yet another incident Friday,a truck bomb devastated an entire city block of the Kabul residential neighbourhood Shah Shaheed,killing 15 and wounding 240 more.On Monday,a vehicle-borne IED hit a crowded entrance to Kabul International Airport,killing at least 5 and wounding 16 others.Over the four-day period,almost 70 were killed and hundreds wounded by the Islamist extremists.*
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani complained that the Pakistanis failed to prevent the Taliban from congregating and planning the attacks in Quetta,Pakistan.They elected and installed their new leader there,Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour,whose predecessor,Mullah Omar,had died in a Pakistani hospital 2 years ago.
The current fighting has seen heavy clashes between the Afghan National Security Forces,supported by their NATO trainers,advisors and US counter-terrorist forces,and the Taliban.