U.S. Soldier, Afghan Interpreter Killed by Roadside Bomb

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2005 - A U.S. servicemember and an Afghan interpreter were killed Nov. 22 when their up-armored Humvee struck a roadside bomb south of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, military officials reported.

The soldier and interpreter were part of a re-supply convoy supporting forces conducting operations aimed at defeating enemy forces in the area at the time of the detonation, officials noted.

"We're saddened by our loss of our comrade and our thoughts are with his family especially at this time when we gather to give thanks for the blessings and liberties secured by the sacrifices such as those of this brave soldier," said Brig. Gen. Jack Sterling Jr., Combined Joint Task Force 76 deputy commanding general for support.

"This loss will not deter us from helping the Afghan people defend the ever-increasing recovery of this war-torn country from those whose only vision for Afghanistan is oppression, brutality and violence," Sterling said.

An investigation team was flown to the site. The name and unit of the servicemember are being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Elsewhere, volunteer firefighters and firemen from NATO's Headquarters International Security Assistance Force extinguished a small fire in a building at Camp Eggers in the Afghan capital of Kabul today, officials said.

There were no injuries or mission disruptions as a result of the fire. Officials said an inadvertent spark from contractors, who were welding on the building's roof, may have ignited the fire.

"Our Camp Eggers volunteer firefighters responded as seasoned professionals to their first fire," said Col. Jim Yonts, Combined Forces Command Afghanistan spokesman. "Their training drills have built the discipline and skills needed to keep this headquarters functioning in spite of emergencies, be they large or small.

"The ISAF fire department's rapid response provided the necessary backup capability to ensure our operations continue uninterrupted," Yonts continued. "They are our partners in every sense, and we're grateful for their assistance."

Camp Eggers is named in honor of Army Special Forces Capt. Daniel Eggers of Cape Coral, Fla., who was killed May 29, 2004, when his vehicle swerved to avoid a mine and was hit by a roadside bomb near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

In the air war over Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 20 close-air-support missions Nov. 22 to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and the conduct of presence route patrols, Air Force officials said.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II jets and a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle provided close-air support to coalition forces in contact with enemy militia near Orgun-E. Three Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft also flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan, officials noted.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III transports provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. The more than 165 airlift sorties included about 28,000 pounds of civic aid airdropped in central Afghanistan.

(Compiled from Combined Forces Command Afghanistan and U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases.)

Related Sites:

Combined Forces Command Afghanistan [http://www.cfc-a.centcom.mil/]

U.S. Central Command Air Forces [http://www.centaf.af.mil/]

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