Minnesota National Guard Soldier Killed In Iraq

wcco.com ^ | 06/18/06 | wcco.com

[SE Mom]

(AP) Minneapolis A National Guard member from Morton, Minn. has been killed in Iraq, the Minnesota National Guard announced Sunday.

Spec. Brent W. Koch, 22, died Friday in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, from injuries he received when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle, the Guard said.

Koch was assigned to the Minnesota Army National Guard's Company E, 2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry Combined Arms Battalion in Redwood Falls.

His unit deployed in March 2006 as a part of the 34th Brigade Combat Team.

"We are focusing our efforts on helping the family members cope through this difficult time," Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, Minnesota's adjutant general, said in a statement. "Additionally, our thoughts and prayers are with those who serve with this honorable soldier."

[SE Mom]

Ping.

[blueminnesota]

Minnesota ping.

My cousin just came back from Iraq.

[new yorker 77]

An IED?

The Slimes and others reported that the driver was shot.

If this was an IED, the two soldiers missing may be dead.

[bnelson44]

My heart and prayers go to all of them and their families. They were not there very long.

[MEG33]

~Freedom Isn't Free~ >

I have fought the good fight
I have finished my course
I have kept the faith

Spec. Brent W. Koch


~We Honor Our Fallen Warriors~

Picture and verse courtesy of MsBehavin,Patriot Guard
~May God Comfort Those Who Mourn~

[SE Mom]

Here's the report from DoD:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2006/20060616_5440.html

Even it doesn't specify whether it was an IED or gunfire..it says there were explosions and gunfire "in the area"..

[Peach]

Prayers for that family; his father is going to have a most horrific Father's Day.

[CremeSaver]

How right you are, Peach. How very sad for his family. May God give them strength and comfort. Prayers for this young soldier.

[Justa]

The 2nd report is more accurate. Apparently they were attacked at close range with a hand held explosives, (charges of plastic explosive) or perhaps an RPG and also small arms. They were guarding a river crossing so they may have been close to the road.

It appears to have been a sharp and violent fight. My guess is that it was insurgents re-deploying from Anbar. They probably crossed the river and attacked the guardpost to enable other crossings.

The Anbar insurgents frequently hide out in the MND CS (Diwaniyah) when the Marines are geared for offenses in Anbar. The Marines will likely pursue them in MND CS. They have in the past. The Sunni and Wahhabi Anbar insurgents also stick out like sore thumbs in the predominantly Shiite area.

Both down south and up north around Mosul the Anbar insurgents sometimes go to the 'border' areas of Sunni control to hide out. When they do stuff like this they bring the S down on themselves. Most likely they'll be sleeping-with-the-rubble soon.

[Coop]

Rest in peace, brave warrior, and may God comfort your loved ones and guard your two missing colleagues.

[sja44]

This incident has NOTHING to do with the soldiers who are currently missing in Iraq!!! I know this because my husband not only witnessed the attack but pulled 2 of the 3 out of the vehicle. My cousin was in the vehicle! This was an IED explosion and as far as we have heard there was NO gunfire. Since we have direct contact with soilder directly involved with this incident I believe that our information maybe a little more accurate then some of the other posting!!

We Grieve for the family who lost there loved one! And keep the injured soldiers and there family in our prayers as well as the soldiers left behind in Iraq who are grieving the loss of a fallen comrade!

[SE Mom]

You have FReepmail:)

I am so so sorry this was posted in error- it was my understanding from a (usually reliable) contact that this was the soldier KIA in the attack resulting in two MIA soldiers.

Admin Mod- will you delete my 1st post and change the headline by removing the part about the 2 MIA's, PLEASE?

[maxwellp]

Very fervent prayers have been going up for the two missing soldiers in this household. And I pray to our dead soldiers to please help with this WOT.

[new yorker 77]

Many of these thugs will be taking dirt naps.

[freema]

Special prayers for all of you, sja. How are YOU?

[sja44]

My family is doing alright, My cousins family is gonna be OK as well. Our hearts are with the family that lost their son! As well as our prayers! My cousin will recover given time! Emotionally all of the soldiers are hurting...they lost a member of their "family"! Please pray for everyone involved in the attack and for the family's as well!

[freema]

Prayers, please and thank you, for sja and her 'entire' family.

[freema]

Ping to the prayer thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1651791/posts

How are you?