Seven U.S. Soldiers Killed, Wounded in Afghanistan

Seven U.S. Soldiers Killed, Wounded in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2005 – Four U.S. soldiers were killed and three wounded today by an improvised explosive device south of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan, military officials in Kabul reported.

The wounded were in stable conditions at a military treatment facility. They were reportedly injured by secondary explosions while helping others to safety during the attack.

Army Maj. Gen. Jason Kamiya, head of Combined Joint Task Force 76, said U.S. and Afghan forces were conducting offensive operations in support of an ongoing mission to find and defeat enemy forces in the area when the attack occurred.

"Attacks such as this strengthen, not weaken, the resolve of the United States, coalition, Afghan National security forces, and the Afghan people," he said. "These types of attacks also demonstrate the enemy's desperation and cowardliness. The enemy knows that he is at a race with time, a race that he will inevitably lose."

Officials also reported today that coalition aircraft from the U.S., France, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Singapore flew 19 missions in support of coalition and Afghan troops on the ground by providing presence route patrol and border security.

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

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