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WASHINGTON, June 11, 2006 – A coalition soldier died today during offensive operations against Taliban extremists in Afghanistan and another was killed in Iraq while on patrol June 9, U.S. military officials reported.
Afghan National Army and coalition forces had been engaged with a small group of extremists when the enemy fled into the village of Yaquob in Ghazni Province. Afghan and coalition forces surrounded the village to search for the extremists. During the search, a coalition truck struck a makeshift bomb.
The soldier was evacuated by air to a coalition hospital, but later died of his injuries. The joint forces continued searching the village, but were unable to locate the enemy fighters.
"We sincerely regret the loss of one of our brave soldiers today," said Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, Combined Joint Task Force 76 commander. "Our thoughts and prayers extend to his family and comrades, both the coalition and Afghan soldiers he proudly served with. His sacrifice will not be forgotten."
In Iraq, a 101st Sustainment Brigade soldier was killed and another was wounded by a makeshift bomb while conducting a combat logistics patrol near Kirkuk June 9.
The wounded soldier was taken to a coalition forces medical treatment facility.
The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending next of kin notification.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news releases.)
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