Associated Press June 13, 2017

The three US special forces soldiers shot dead by an Afghan colleague during an operation in the east of the country have been pictured for the first time.

The soldiers were identified as Sgt. Eric M. Houck, 25, of Baltimore; Sgt. William M. Bays, 29, of Barstow, California; and Cpl. Dillon C. Baldridge, 22, of Youngsville, North Carolina.

They were all from the Army's 101st Airborne Division, headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  

A spokesman for the governor in Nangahar province said an Afghan commando had opened fire on the US troops during a joint operation in Achin. He was shot dead in return fire.

Another US soldier was reportedly wounded in the attack on Saturday.

A spokesman for the Taliban said it had carried out the attack.

The Department of Defense said in a statement that the soldiers died of wounds received while supporting a military operation called Freedom's Sentinel. But it didn't elaborate, saying the deaths remain under investigation and no other details were being released at this time.

Dillon’s Ride 07/20/2024 09:00 am 113 Days