US Special Forces Suffer Heavy Casualties

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | 4-2-03

[Unwavering Conservative]

US special forces suffer heavy casualties

April 2 2003

US special forces, whose superman image has created an aura in invulnerability around them, have unexpectedly disclosed heavy casualties - 175 killed, wounded or missing - in their worldwide hunt for Osama bin Laden and his terror associates.

Addressing a congressional panel today, Deputy Assistant Defence Secretary Marshall Billingslea said the figure had amassed since the beginning of a concerted post-September 11 counter-terrorism drive aimed at bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

"To date, there have been 137 SOF wounded, 91 of whom sustained injuries during combat," Billingslea told the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities.

"Thirty eight SOF have been killed in the course of Operation Enduring Freedom and related counter-terror operations."

The latest losses came in Afghanistan, where two US special forces troops were killed and one was wounded on Saturday, when their four-vehicle reconnaissance patrol was ambushed in the vicinity of the south-western city of Geresk, according to the US Central Command.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell presented a slightly different version of the event, saying late Sunday that the two soldiers "were lost by being ambushed while they were inspecting a school and a hospital, both being built with American funding".

A total of 64 members of a broad international coalition taking part in Operation Enduring Freedom launched in October 2001 to rid Afghanistan of al-Qaeda operatives and their Taliban protectors have been officially reported dead.

However, a defence official ruled out the possibility that some of the casualties, even among the secretive special forces, have remained undisclosed.

"There is no hiding of casualties at the Department of Defence," said the official, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that no combat deaths incurred during operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom had remained undisclosed.

[Unwavering Conservative]

This is sad news. These valiant soldiers died to protect our freedom. Prayers Heavenward for these brave heroes.

[Spruce]

The Best of the Best.

[bolobaby]

These men operate deep within enemy territory without any safe zone to fall back to. In that environment, one can only expect losses.

[Unwavering Conservative]

I cried when I read this news article.
These courageous soldiers died fighting for freedom.

We need to remember them in our prayers.

[McGavin999]

God bless their souls. There must be a very special place in heaven for those who gave their lives protecting others. I hope it brings peace to their hearts to know just how proud and grateful we are for their service.

[Unwavering Conservative]

Spec-Ops is a high-risk job, but someone has to do it.

I have the utmost respect for our military's special operations soldiers, but I also respect all our military's soldiers.

[Unwavering Conservative]

These brave men gave all for their country. I pray that they knew the gift of salvation through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

[Travis McGee]

Their war goes on forever, everywhere.

[sonofatpatcher2]

To the Special Forces troops who have given their last, full measure of devotion:

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy,
you have die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

This part of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" has alway brought tears to my eyes.

As has this from "13 Days of Glory":

"Now the bugles are silent
And there's rust on each sword
And the small band of soldiers...
Lie asleep in the arms of the Lord...

Bless them, God. Bless them All.

[Unwavering Conservative]

Yes it does. That is why we mst keep them in our prayers.

[Unwavering Conservative]

Yes it does. That is why we must keep them in our prayers.

[jigsaw]

More prayers for these absolutely remarkable men and for their grieving families.

May God express to each of them the extraordinary gratitude we mortals feel in our hearts.

[Unwavering Conservative]

That is a beautiful reply you just made.

Thank you for showing your love for our military's brave warriors.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

US special forces, whose superman image has created an aura in invulnerability around them, have unexpectedly disclosed heavy casualties - 175 killed, wounded or missing ...

"To date, there have been 137 SOF wounded...

"Thirty eight SOF have been killed ...

175 killed, wounded, or missing
137 wounded
38 Killed
175-137-38=0

Why report soldiers as missing when the calculation shows none are missing?

Is this a subtle example of making the bad news worse? POW's have flags flying all over the country. Just say missing and there is no closure. Just make us feel more miserable Sydney Herald.

[Unwavering Conservative]

We need to keep the brave men and women of our military in our prayers daily, but we also need to pray for revival in this world, so that multitudes will get to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

[paul51]

Heroes all

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

said the official, who spoke to AFP I don't doubt that there have been some SF casualties but notice the source, AFP and how they snuck it in at the end of the article. AFP is about as accurate as a wild a$$ guess.

[Unwavering Conservative]

It looks like the Syndey Morning Herald has an agenda, doesn't it?

[The Wizard]

misleading headline because it is offered like this is about Iraq....

[F16Fighter]

This is very tough news...

Not many people realize the sacrifice this guys have made on behalf of America and her childen.

May the Lord have mercy on the souls of these magnificent men -- they and those who serve are my heroes.