The Army has identified a highly decorated 31-year-old Fort Carson special forces soldier who died Tuesday after an improvised explosive device blast in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Adam S. Thomas, of Takoma Park, Md., was killed in the country’s Nangarhar Province, the Army said on Wednesday.
The Mountain Post Green Beret was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was killed during dismounted operations, officials say, and the incident remains under investigation.
“The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) wishes to express deepest sympathies and condolences to the Family and friends who have been tragically touched by the loss of Staff Sgt. Adam Thomas,” Col. Isaac Peltier, commander of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airbone), said in a statement. “Staff Sgt. Thomas epitomized what it is to be a professional Green Beret and Soldier. His loss from our organization and his memory will not be forgotten.”
Thomas, an eight-year member of the Army, was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
Thomas entered the Army in April 2008, according to Fort Carson, and had deployed to Iraq in 2008 and to Afghanistan for two tours — one in 2011 and another in June.
Thomas was the recipient of a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, multiple Army Commendation medals and the National Defense Service Medal, among other accolades.
Reuters reports the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an explosion that killed a U.S. service member and two Afghan soldiers in Afghanistan on Tuesday. The news service did not identify the soldier killed, but said the attack happened in Nangarhar Province while the American soldier was battling militants.
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel began on Jan. 1, 2015, comes in succession to the extended Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan that was launched after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The Department of Defense reports there have been 24 military casualties and 124 wounded in action in the Operation Freedom’s Sentinel since it commenced.
