On 8 March 2020,two US Marines died in combat against Islamic State forces in the mountains of Northcentral Iraq.They were accompanying and assisting Iraqi Security Forces on an air assault mission in the Southern Makhmur Mountains to evict the IS militants from a well-fortified cave complex.
In the course of the raid,a fierce firefight ensued at close range.Killed in the battle were CAPT Moises A. Navas,34,of Germantown, Maryland and GYSGT Diego D. Pongo,34,of Simi Valley, California.They were members of 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Corps Special Operations Command, out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
About 12 US Marines accompanied several dozen Iraqi counterterrorism troops in the attempt to evict IS from the caves.Besides the USMC deaths, three other Marines were wounded along with another Coalition member, while 17-19 IS militants were killed.*
Gunney Pongo had served heroically in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2013, receiving a Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device.He is survived by his daughter and mother.CAPT Navas,a native of Panama,had served in Japan and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and National Defense Service Medal.He leaves behind his wife and three daughters.*
They are the first American troops killed in action in Iraq this year.*
Thou shalt seek them,and shalt not find them, even them that contend with thee: they that war with thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
- Isaiah 41:12
Showing posts with label Marine Corps Special Operations Command. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marine Corps Special Operations Command. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Monday, August 12, 2019
Operation Inherent Resolve:US Marine Corps SOF Member Killed in Action in Iraq
On 10 August 2019,GYSGT Scott A. Koppenhafer,35,of Mancos,Colorado was killed in action in Iraq when he was engaged by enemy small arms fire,the Pentagon said.The battle is being investigated.
GYSGT Koppenhafer was a member of 2nd Marine Raider Battalion,MARSOC,out of Camp Lejeune,North Carolina.He had pulled four tours in his MARSOC career,including one in Afghanistan,where he was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant,as well as Iraq.*
According to US CENTCOM,Gunny Koppenhafer was killed while on a joint mission with the Iraqi Security Forces in Nineveh Province,Northern Iraq.He was serving as an advisor to the Iraqi Security Forces as they attempt to dislodge remnants of the Islamic State in Northern Iraq.
GYSGT Koppenhafer had been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device (2);the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device (2);the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2);and the Combat Action Ribbon (2).*
The revered special operator was the third US service member to be killed in action in Operation Inherent Resolve this year.About 5,000 US troops are currently deployed to Iraq with OIR in a train,advise and assist mission.In 2018,Gunny Koppenhafer was named the 2018 Marine Special Operator of the Year for his masterful leadership that directly contributed to the defeat of Islamic State forces in Northern Iraq.He is survived by his wife and two children.*
"Nevertheless I am continually with thee:thou hast holden me by my right hand.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel,and afterword receive me to glory."
-Psalm 73:23-24
GYSGT Koppenhafer was a member of 2nd Marine Raider Battalion,MARSOC,out of Camp Lejeune,North Carolina.He had pulled four tours in his MARSOC career,including one in Afghanistan,where he was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant,as well as Iraq.*
According to US CENTCOM,Gunny Koppenhafer was killed while on a joint mission with the Iraqi Security Forces in Nineveh Province,Northern Iraq.He was serving as an advisor to the Iraqi Security Forces as they attempt to dislodge remnants of the Islamic State in Northern Iraq.
GYSGT Koppenhafer had been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device (2);the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device (2);the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2);and the Combat Action Ribbon (2).*
The revered special operator was the third US service member to be killed in action in Operation Inherent Resolve this year.About 5,000 US troops are currently deployed to Iraq with OIR in a train,advise and assist mission.In 2018,Gunny Koppenhafer was named the 2018 Marine Special Operator of the Year for his masterful leadership that directly contributed to the defeat of Islamic State forces in Northern Iraq.He is survived by his wife and two children.*
"Nevertheless I am continually with thee:thou hast holden me by my right hand.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel,and afterword receive me to glory."
-Psalm 73:23-24
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