The U.S. service member who died from wounds suffered during an anti-ISIS-K operation in Eastern Afghanistan has been identified.
(Twitter)
The U.S. Department of Defense announced that Staff Sgt. Aaron R. Butler, 27, of Monticello, Utah, died Aug. 16 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device (IED) while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
“On behalf of U.S. Forces – Afghanistan, our loss is heartbreaking and we offer our deepest condolences to SSG Butler’s family and loved ones,” said Gen. John Nicholson, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A) Commander. “The wounded U.S. and Afghan service members are receiving the best medical care possible and we are keeping them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Despite this tragic event, we remain steadfast in our commitment to continue our campaign to defeat ISIS-K so they are no longer a threat to the people of Afghanistan and our coalition,” he added.
On behalf of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, our loss is heartbreaking and we offer our deepest condolences to SSG Butler’s family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/uIyrYQBCc2
— USForces Afghanistan (@USFOR_A) August 18, 2017
Butler died as a result of wounds suffered Wednesday during a partnered operation with U.S. and Afghan Forces, USFOR-A said.
“U.S. and Afghan forces were also injured during the operation aimed at further reducing Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan [ISIS-K] presence in Afghanistan,” USFOR-A said.
The wounded personnel were medically evacuated for treatment.
Butler was assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Camp Williams, Utah.
(Twitter)
The incident is currently under investigation.
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