Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

They died Sept. 16 in Zabul province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered when their position was attacked with small arms fire. 

Killed were:

Sgt. Sapuro B. Nena, 25, of Honolulu, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.,

Spc. Joshua N. Nelson, 22, Greenville, N.C., assigned to 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Gordon, Ga.,

Pfc. Genaro Bedoy, 20, of Amarillo, Texas, assigned to 52nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and

Pfc. Jon R. Townsend, 19, Claremore, Okla., assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

For more information on Nena, Bedoy and Townsend the media may contact the I Corps public affairs office at 253-477-3048 or after work hours: 253-370-9861.

For more information on Nelson the media may contact the Fort Gordon public affairs office at 706-791-6001.

Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Michael E. Ristau, 25, of Rockford, Ill., died July 13 in Qalat, Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

For more information please contact the I Corps public affairs office at 253-477-3048 or 253-370-9861.

Afghan Forces Take Security Lead in Southern Afghanistan

From a Regional Command South News Release

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, July 2, 2012 – Afghan national security forces formally assumed responsibility for security in southern Afghanistan in a ceremony at Camp Hero in Kandahar province yesterday.

Previously, the NATO-led International Security Force’s Regional Command South was responsible for security in Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, and Daykundi provinces.

“It wasn't that long ago that we had no security forces,” said Maj. Gen. Abdul Hamid, commander of the Afghan army’s 205th Hero Corps. “We started from scratch, and today we have everything. I assure that there is no doubt that the [Afghan army] is ready to be independent, and we are ready for this moment right now.”

The ISAF-trained Afghan national security forces include the army, uniformed police, border police and civil order police.

“This is a step that will be marked in history for the people of Afghanistan,” said Army Maj. Gen. James L. Huggins, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and Regional Command South. “We are ready for all of this because of all of you [and] because of the Afghan leadership.”

Combined Force Kills Several Insurgents

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during a firefight while searching for a Haqqani leader in the Tsamkani district of Afghanistan’s Paktiya province today, military officials reported.

The sought-after Haqqani leader is responsible for directing, financing and coordinating attacks against coalition and Afghan forces throughout the district, officials said. He also supplies weapons and explosives to insurgent fighters.

The security force also detained several suspects and seized multiple firearms, grenades and improvised explosive device-making components.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force detained one suspect during a search for a Taliban leader in the Arghistan district of Kandahar province. The Taliban leader conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition troops in the Tarnek wa Jaldak district of Zabul province.

-- A combined force discovered approximately 135 pounds of explosives, rockets, anti-personnel mines, and IED-making components in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province.

Pictures from the Front Lines

House Search

U.S. Army Sgt. Ryan Henderson and Satin, his military working dog, search an Afghan home in the village of Spine Gundey in the Gelan district of Afghanistan's Ghazni province, May 10, 2012. Henderson is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team.

Handshake Hello

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Marc Sheie, right, greets a village elder in northern Qalat, Afghanistan, May 16, 2012. Sheie, who commands Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, discussed future projects with the village elder.