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http://www.straitstimes.com/world/first-american-military-death-in-somalia-since-1993
First American military death in Somalia since 1993
Published
1 hour ago
MOGADISHU • An American soldier has been killed in a night-time raid in Somalia, in what is said to be the first US military death in combat there since the infamous events of "Black Hawk Down" 24 years ago.
The death occurred three weeks after the US announced the deployment of "a few dozen troops" to Somalia, tasked with training and equipping Somalian troops to fight Al-Shabaab militants.
"One US service member was killed during an operation against Al-Shabaab near Barii, Somalia, approximately 65km west of Mogadishu", during the raid on Thursday, the US' Africa Command (Africom) said in a statement.
Two other US soldiers were wounded in the operation against Shabaab militants, said Africom spokesman Robyn Mack.
US special forces have been deployed in Somalia for years. Drone and missile strikes have also been used against Shabaab commanders and foot soldiers.
Ms Mack said it appeared to be the first time the US military has suffered a battlefield loss in Somalia since 1993, when 18 American servicemen died in what is called the Battle of Mogadishu.
That battle, portrayed in the 2002 movie Black Hawk Down, involved an ill-fated US attempt to snatch militia leaders in Somalia's capital.
Two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, sparking a chaotic, under-fire rescue operation that resulted in hundreds of deaths, including those of many civilians and US personnel.
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
https://patch.com/maine/augusta/navy-seal-maine-killed-somalia
Navy SEAL From Maine Killed In Somalia
The Navy SEAL was killed in an operation against the terrorist group al-Shabaab.
By Feroze Dhanoa (Patch National Staff) - May 6, 2017 2:25 pm ET
Navy SEAL From Maine Killed In Somalia
A Navy SEAL killed in Somalia during an operation against the terrorist group al-Shabaab on Friday was identified as 38-year-old Kyle Milliken, of Falmouth, Maine, the Department of Defense said.
Milliken, a senior chief special warfare operator, was killed in a remote area approximately 40 miles west of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. The DoD said he was in support of a Somali National Army-led operation with U.S. Africa Command.
A defense official confirmed to CNN that Milliken was a part of SEAL Team Six, the unit which led the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
"Senior Chief Kyle Milliken embodied the warrior spirit and toughness infused in our very best Navy SEALs. We grieve his death, but we celebrate his life and many accomplishments. He is irreplaceable as a husband, father, son, friend and teammate - and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and teammates," Rear Admiral Timothy Szymanski, commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, said in a statement. "His sacrifice is a stark reminder that Naval Special Operators are forward doing their job, confronting terrorism overseas to prevent evil from reaching our shores."
Through the Navy, Milliken's family issued a brief statement on his passing.
"The Milliken family would like to extend their gratitude to the community for their interest in our beloved Kyle," the statement said. "He was a devoted father and son, a true professional and a wonderful husband.While we appreciate your interest, we ask you respect our need for privacy."
Milliken enlisted in the Navy in 2002 and received several awards and decorations during his tenure, according to a bio released by the military.
Milliken's death marks the fourth U.S. casualty abroad in the past two weeks. A solider was killed outside of Mosul in April conducting security as part of advise-and-assist support to partnered forces supporting the combined joint task force, Operation Inherent Resolve. Just a few days before the casualty in Iraq, two Army Rangers were killed during an anti-ISIS operation in Afghanistan. Milliken's death also marks the first U.S. casualty in Somalia since 1993 when 18 U.S. service members were killed in the infamous "Black Hawk Down" battle. He is also the second Navy SEAL to be killed in action since Chief Ryan Owens was killed in a botched raid in Yemen.
Image courtesy Naval Special Warfare Command
First American military death in Somalia since 1993
Published
1 hour ago
MOGADISHU • An American soldier has been killed in a night-time raid in Somalia, in what is said to be the first US military death in combat there since the infamous events of "Black Hawk Down" 24 years ago.
The death occurred three weeks after the US announced the deployment of "a few dozen troops" to Somalia, tasked with training and equipping Somalian troops to fight Al-Shabaab militants.
"One US service member was killed during an operation against Al-Shabaab near Barii, Somalia, approximately 65km west of Mogadishu", during the raid on Thursday, the US' Africa Command (Africom) said in a statement.
Two other US soldiers were wounded in the operation against Shabaab militants, said Africom spokesman Robyn Mack.
US special forces have been deployed in Somalia for years. Drone and missile strikes have also been used against Shabaab commanders and foot soldiers.
Ms Mack said it appeared to be the first time the US military has suffered a battlefield loss in Somalia since 1993, when 18 American servicemen died in what is called the Battle of Mogadishu.
That battle, portrayed in the 2002 movie Black Hawk Down, involved an ill-fated US attempt to snatch militia leaders in Somalia's capital.
Two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, sparking a chaotic, under-fire rescue operation that resulted in hundreds of deaths, including those of many civilians and US personnel.
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
https://patch.com/maine/augusta/navy-seal-maine-killed-somalia
Navy SEAL From Maine Killed In Somalia
The Navy SEAL was killed in an operation against the terrorist group al-Shabaab.
By Feroze Dhanoa (Patch National Staff) - May 6, 2017 2:25 pm ET
Navy SEAL From Maine Killed In Somalia
A Navy SEAL killed in Somalia during an operation against the terrorist group al-Shabaab on Friday was identified as 38-year-old Kyle Milliken, of Falmouth, Maine, the Department of Defense said.
Milliken, a senior chief special warfare operator, was killed in a remote area approximately 40 miles west of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. The DoD said he was in support of a Somali National Army-led operation with U.S. Africa Command.
A defense official confirmed to CNN that Milliken was a part of SEAL Team Six, the unit which led the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
"Senior Chief Kyle Milliken embodied the warrior spirit and toughness infused in our very best Navy SEALs. We grieve his death, but we celebrate his life and many accomplishments. He is irreplaceable as a husband, father, son, friend and teammate - and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and teammates," Rear Admiral Timothy Szymanski, commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, said in a statement. "His sacrifice is a stark reminder that Naval Special Operators are forward doing their job, confronting terrorism overseas to prevent evil from reaching our shores."
Through the Navy, Milliken's family issued a brief statement on his passing.
"The Milliken family would like to extend their gratitude to the community for their interest in our beloved Kyle," the statement said. "He was a devoted father and son, a true professional and a wonderful husband.While we appreciate your interest, we ask you respect our need for privacy."
Milliken enlisted in the Navy in 2002 and received several awards and decorations during his tenure, according to a bio released by the military.
Milliken's death marks the fourth U.S. casualty abroad in the past two weeks. A solider was killed outside of Mosul in April conducting security as part of advise-and-assist support to partnered forces supporting the combined joint task force, Operation Inherent Resolve. Just a few days before the casualty in Iraq, two Army Rangers were killed during an anti-ISIS operation in Afghanistan. Milliken's death also marks the first U.S. casualty in Somalia since 1993 when 18 U.S. service members were killed in the infamous "Black Hawk Down" battle. He is also the second Navy SEAL to be killed in action since Chief Ryan Owens was killed in a botched raid in Yemen.
Image courtesy Naval Special Warfare Command
