Helicopter Crash Kills 2 ISAF Members in Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON  – Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan yrsterday, military officials reported.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, officials said.

According to operational reporting, there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash. It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

In operations yesterday around Afghanistan:

-- An Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban insurgent in the Hisarak district of Nangarhar province.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province. The sought-after Taliban leader organizes insurgent operations against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district.

-- In the Panjwai district of Kandahar province, an Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained numerous suspects and seized multiple weapons during an operation to arrest a Taliban explosives supplier.

-- Also in the Panjwai district, a combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban facilitator who provides improvised explosive devices and weapons to insurgents.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in the Andar district of Ghazni province. The sought-after Taliban leader directs IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Helicopter Makes Forced Landing in Eastern Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2012 – An International Security Assistance Force helicopter made a forced landing in eastern Afghanistan today, military officials reported.

There were no reported fatalities, and the site of the incident is secure, officials said. Initial reporting indicates that there was no enemy activity in the area at the time.

ISAF officials are assessing the circumstances to determine more facts.

In Afghanistan operations today:

-- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani network leader and three suspected insurgents during an operation in the Zurmat district of Paktia province. The Haqqani insurgent -- an improvised explosive device specialist -- is responsible for numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, including recent attacks against Afghan forces in Zurmat.

-- A combined force arrested a Taliban leader and one other suspect in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The Taliban leader planned and directed IED attacks and had acquired suicide vests for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained multiple suspects during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. The Taliban leader directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Zharay and Panjwai districts.

-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani weapons supplier and one suspected insurgent during an operation in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. The weapons supplier acquired weapons and IEDs for Haqqani fighters throughout the province. In the days leading to his arrest, the weapons supplier provided funds, weapons and equipment to Haqqani fighters for an upcoming attack.

In an Aug. 26 operation in the Khoshi district of Logar province, a coalition force found and destroyed 136 mortar rounds and 23 rockets.

Army and Navy Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of seven service members who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died Aug. 16 in a helicopter crash northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer Brian D. Hornsby, 37, of Melbourne, Fla., assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii;

Chief Warrant Officer Suresh N. A. Krause, 29, of Cathedral City, Calif., assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii;

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Petty Officer Technician 1st Class Sean P. Carson, 32, of Des Moines, Wash., assigned to an explosive ordnance disposal mobile unit in San Diego;

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks, 28, of Edgewater, Md., assigned to a West Coast-based naval special warfare unit;

Sgt. Richard A. Essex, 23, of Kelseyville, Calif., assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii;

Sgt. Luis A. Oliver Galbreath, 41, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class David J. Warsen, 27, of Kentwood, Mich., assigned to a West Coast-based naval Special warfare unit.

For more information on Hornsby, Krause, Galbreath, and Essex contact the 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs at 808-655-4756 or 808-551-1722.

For more information on Feeks and Warsen, media may contact the Naval Special Warfare Group One public affairs office at 619-537-3184.

For more information on Carson, media may contact the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command public affairs office at 757-374-0995.

Navy Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two sailors who died in a helicopter crash July 19 in Oman.

Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean P. Sullivan, 40, of St. Louis, Mo., and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) Second Class Joseph P. Fitzmorris, 31, of West Monroe, La., were declared deceased following an extensive search of the wreckage and the surrounding areas of the crash.

For further information related to this release, contact Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet Public Affairs at 011-973-1785-4027.

MH-53 Helicopter Crashes Near Oman

American Forces Press Service

FIFTH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS, July 19, 2012 – An MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron-15 crashed 58 miles southwest of Muscat, Oman, today while conducting heavy lift support operations, according to a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command news release issued today.

The crash was not due to hostile activity and the status of the five crew members is still being determined, the release said.

Another MH-53E helicopter assigned to the squadron is on the scene, providing search and rescue assistance, according to the news release.

The incident is under investigation, the release said.

ISAF Helicopter Crashes in Western Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2012 – Two International Security Assistance Force service members were injured following a helicopter crash in western Afghanistan today, military officials reported.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, officials said.

In July 17 news, operations:

-- ISAF commander Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen and Afghan National Army Chief of Staff Gen. Sher Mohammad Karimi congratulated the Afghan National Army on the establishment of its Special Operation Command Division, officials said. “The establishment of ANASOC is another important step in the increasing capability and capacity of the ANSF,” Allen said. “This trained unit represents some of the most elite and brave fighting forces in the ANSF. They continue to demonstrate their ability to conduct operations throughout Afghanistan and when engaged win decisively.”

-- A coalition airstrike killed an insurgent in Ghazni province’s Giro district.

-- A combined force detained an insurgent and seized a two-way radio in Ghazni province’s Qarah Bagh district.

-- A combined force discovered a cache containing several flares in Ghazni province’s Andar district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an improvised explosive device in Ghazni province’s Andar district.

-- A combined force killed an insurgent in Khowst province’s Gurbuz district.

-- A combined force killed three insurgents in Kunar province’s Marawarah district.

-- In Logar province, a combined force found and cleared one IED in the Pul-E Alam district and another in the Muhammad Aghah district.

-- A combined force killed one insurgent in Nangarhar province’s Shinwar district.

-- In Nangarhar province’s Lal’Pur district, a combined force found and cleared an IED.

-- A combined force detained one insurgent and found and cleared an IED in Nuristan province’s Nurgaram district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Paktika province’s Sar Rowzah district.

-- In Paktiya province’s Zurmat district, a combined force found and cleared an IED.

-- A combined force discovered a cache containing multiple mines and IED-making materials in Paktiya province’s Gardez district.

-- In Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district, a combined force detained an insurgent and cleared an IED.