11 Taliban killed, 2 wounded and 8 arrested by ANP (Jul.31.2012.)

Publish Date: Jul 31, 2012

11 Taliban killed, two wounded and eight arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched five joint clearance operations in Faryab, Jowzjan, Kandahar, Logar and Ghazni provinces.

As a result of these operations, 11 Taliban were killed, two wounded and eight others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated one PKM machine gun, four different types of weapons, three different types of mines, 2000 kilograms of explosive materials and 10 motorcycles.

In the meantime, Afghan National Police arrested two mine planters while they were planting roadside mine in the main road of Zhiri District of southern Kandahar province, yesterday.

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained 12 individuals accused of theft and using fake banknotes in the Chahar Asiab, Shakar Dara and 8th Districts of Kabul-City.

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Two car bombs kill at least 13 in Baghdad: sources

Credit: Reuters/Saad Shalash

(Reuters) - Two car bombs in central Baghdad killed at least 13 people and wounded 30 more near a busy main intersection, police and hospital sources said on Tuesday.

Two clouds of black smoke rose above where the two bombs exploded minutes apart.

The explosions followed a spate of attacks in Baghdad and across the country a week ago that killed more than 100 people, in a coordinated surge of violence against mostly Shi'ite Muslim targets.

(Reporting Baghdad newsroom; writing by Patrick Markey)
BAGHDAD | Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:14am EDT

more images on REUTERS: http://www.reuters.com/article/slideshow/idUSBRE86U0LL20120731#a=1

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from  AL ARABIYA:

Car bombs in Baghdad kill 14 people: officials
Twin car bombs in Baghdad killed 12 people and wounded at least 27 others on Tuesday, while another attack west of the capital left two people dead, security and medical officials said.

The latest violence brings the number of people killed in attacks across Iraq in July to at least 271, according to an AFP tally based on security and medical sources.

An interior ministry official said the twin blasts in Baghdad’s central Karrada area killed 12 people and wounded 27.

The official said the first attack was by a suicide car bomber who blew up a vehicle at the rear of the police major crimes headquarters.

A medical official put the toll at 19 killed, including five police, and 50 wounded, among them 10 police.

The explosions could be heard around a kilometer (half a mile) away.

One of the blasts destroyed the entire front of a building and multiple cars, shattered shop windows and scattered debris across the street.

Emergency vehicles and security forces quickly descended on the scene of the blast.

Separately, two people were killed and three wounded by a car bomb north of Fallujah, which lies to the west of Baghdad, a major in the Anbar police and doctor Assem al-Hamdani of Fallujah Hospital said.

The attacks came a day after gunmen shot dead a television presenter and wounded his mother, wife and four-month-old baby boy, according to the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory media rights group and a police officer.

Iraq regularly ranks near the bottom of global press freedom rankings. It was at 152nd place out of 179 countries in media rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders’ 2011-2012 World Press Freedom Index, down 22 from the year before.

Iraq saw a spike in unrest in June, when at least 282 people were killed in Iraq, according to a tally kept by AFP.

Violence has declined sharply from its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks remain common.

Related articles

• Officials: 20 killed in twin Iraq car bombs (dailystar.com.lb)

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Bomb attack kills one and wounds three in Al-Ramadi, Iraq today

Al-Ramadi, Iraq: July 31 -- (BNA) An official Iraqi security source reported that one policeman was killed and three others wounded at dawn today as a result of a roadside bomb explosion which hit a police patrol west of Al-Ramadi city.

The source pointed out that explosives were detonated targeting a police patrol in the "Nationalization" neighborhood early dawn today and resulted in killing one policeman and injured three others who were rushed to Al-Ramadi Public Hospital in the city for medical treatment, adding that the police instantly cordoned off the location of the incident and began the process of investigations in order to pinpoint the perpetrators. (IY)

from Bahrain News Agency
11 : 55 AM - 31/07/2012

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Anti-Taliban uprising in Ghazni spreads

GHAZNI CITY (PAN): Nine Taliban fighters were killed and two others detained during a public uprising over the past two days in the Maqur district of southern Ghazni province, residents said on Tuesday.

The insurgents were killed on Monday night, a leader of the uprising, Amanullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News. The revolt started two days ago in Koh Band, Babnamgul and Sang Yased areas after the militants closed schools and killed innocent people, he said.

The district would be cleared of the guerrillas, who would not be allowed to disrupt security, close schools or prevent the implementation of reconstruction projects, warned Amanullah.

Sabawoon, the governor’s spokesman, said residents killed two fighters and detained as many others in the district and handed them to the Afghan National Army. Police chief, Brig. Gen. Zarawar Zahid, said the anti-militant movement would soon spread to other areas.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed they had killed six militiamen, including their commander, in the district, but officials rubbished his assertion.

The uprising against militants was initiated by five members of a family, the first anti-Taliban movement in Andar district, but now the movement’s strength has increased to 400. Up to 100 Afghan and foreign militants have been killed so far during the uprising.

from Pajhwok
by Saifullah Maftoon onJul 31, 2012 - 15:25   

Related articles

• Ghazni residents expands anti-Taliban war in Andar district (khaama.com)
• Tribesmen rise up against Afghan Taliban (dawn.com)
• 11 militants killed in Ghazni public uprising (Video) (pajhwok.com)

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Yemen arrests suspected Qaeda leader

Map of Yemen showing Abyan governorate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SANAA: Yemeni security services have arrested a suspected al Qaeda leader, Abdulrahman al-Baihani, wanted for plotting “terrorist’ attacks in the capital, state news agency Saba said Tuesday.

The suspect is “one of the most dangerous wanted al Qaeda elements and among the prominent leaders plotting to carry out acts of terrorism and sabotage in the capital,” Saba quoted a high-ranking security official as saying.

Baihani, who was arrested on Monday, “took part in fighting armed forces in Abyan province” from which al Qaeda militants were ousted in June following deadly battles with Yemeni forces.

He also “brought children whom he sent to fight alongside al Qaeda in Abyan and Shabwa provinces,” the official said.

Earlier in July, Yemen announced it has placed its security services on high alert to prevent “terrorist” attacks after it uncovered a plot to launch assaults against security and military checkpoints.

Al Qaeda militants have carried out several deadly attacks against Yemeni security services since President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, who has repeatedly vowed to battle extremists, came to power this year.

In May, a Yemeni soldier detonated explosives packed under his uniform in the middle of an army battalion in the capital Sanaa, killing 96 troops and wounding around 300.

The Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, believed to be the global network’s most effective and lethal franchise, had claimed responsibility for the attack.

And on July 11, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance of a police academy in Sanaa, killing eight cadets and wounding several more.

Officials had accused al Qaeda of carrying out the assault. But the network has not claimed responsibility for this attack.

from DAWN

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6 militants killed following clashes in Kunar province

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to local authorities in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan at least 6 militants including their commander was killed following clashes with the Afghan security forces in Asmar and Sarkano districts.

A local Afghan national army official Gen. Shirin Agha confirming the report said at least 4 militants including their commander Hazrat Ali were killed in Asmar district and another Pakistani militant from Waziristan was killed in Sarkano district.

In the meantime local security officials in northern Balkh province said at least 3 militants were arrested along with roadside bomb at Chahar Bolak district on Monday night.

In a separate incident at least 2 suspected militants were killed while they were planting roadside bombs at Dasht-e-Archi district in northern Kunduz province.

District chief for Dasht-e-Archi Sheikh Sadruddin said the incident took place on Monday night and at least two other suspected militants were also injured following the incident.

Mr. Saruddin further added the militants were looking to attack convoys of the NATO troops by planting roadside bombs.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the reports.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Tue Jul 31, 1:36 pm

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11 soldiers killed in clashes at Yemen's interior ministry

SANAA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 security soldiers were killed and dozens of others were wounded during heavy clashes between security forces and gunmen belonging to the defected army at the Yemeni interior ministry on Tuesday morning, police sources and medics said.

"A total of 11 soldiers' bodies have been brought to the police hospital and dozens of others were receiving treatment," doctors at the hospital told Xinhua.

"There is no information about casualties among the defected military forces so far," one of the doctors said.

Police officials said the clashes erupted after troops of the defected First Armored Division and gunmen loyal to opposition tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar in security uniforms entered the headquarters of the interior ministry late Monday.

"A large number of troops from the defected army and militants loyal to al-Ahmar attacked the security soldiers guarding the building of the ministry, and they then set up several barricades around the scene," a police official at the ministry told Xinhua by phone.

"The government forces in the nearby security camp tried to protect the ministry and drove those militants away... but the defected troops opened fire on the security soldiers. Severe clashes have continued for more than 10 hours," he said on condition of anonymity.

"The defected soldiers claimed that they received orders from the defected general Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar to enter the ministry in order to protect it," he added.

All roads leading to the clash area were blocked by the rescue police forces and armed tribesmen led by Sadiq al-Ahmar. According to witnesses, militants loyal to al-Ahmar have been deployed around the interior ministry.

Several ambulances carrying injured soldiers were seen coming out from the clash zone and a nearby security camp, which is responsible for guarding the ministry.

Meanwhile, about eight armored vehicles from the central security forces were seen heading to the interior ministry, while the sound of heavy machine guns was still rocking the area.

According to witnesses, both the rival forces sent reinforcement to the area after clashes intensified and spread Tuesday afternoon to neighborhoods close to the U.S. embassy in eastern the capital.

This is the worst clashes since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February. Sanaa has witnessed a month- long street battles between the defected army backed by militants of Sadiq al-Ahmar and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh before Saleh handed over power to Hadi after the presidential election.

Hadi has vowed to reunify the army, restore security and launch a national dialogue to settle disputes among all political factions to focus efforts on combating the Yemen-based al-Qaida network.

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from REUTERS:

Eight killed in clashes near Yemen Interior Ministry 

(Reuters) - Eight people were killed in clashes between Yemeni government forces and armed tribesmen loyal to former leader Ali Abdullah Saleh, who were trying to storm the Interior Ministry in the capital Sanaa on Tuesday, a medical source said.

The source said a "large number" of people were also wounded in the fighting. It was not clear whether those killed were soldiers or tribesmen.

(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Isabel Coles)
SANAA | Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:40am BST

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July 31., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition officials confirmed today that one of the insurgents killed during an operation in Jani Khel district, Paktiya province, Saturday, was the Haqqani leader Abdullah.

Abdullah, also known as Tufan, was directly involved in the planning and execution of the June 20 suicide attack in the Khost capital that killed more than a dozen Afghan civilians.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

East

An Afghan and coalition security force detained multiple suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Muqer district, Ghazni province, today. During the operation, insurgents maneuvered on the Afghan and coalition forces. The security force engaged the attackers with a precision airstrike killing several of them. After the strike the security force conducted a follow-on assessment and confirmed no civilians had been injured.

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July 30., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan (July 31, 2012) – Afghan and coalition forces detained one insurgent and cleared four improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 30.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices in Andar district.

Paktiya province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Zurmat district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices in Sayyidabad district

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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R.I.P. - Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan W. Gifford, Gunnery Sgt. Daniel J. Price

DOD Identifies Marine Casualties

             The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

             They died July 29 while conducting combat operations in Badghis province, Afghanistan.

             Killed were:

             Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan W. Gifford, 34, of Palm Bay, Fla.  He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; also,

             Gunnery Sgt. Daniel J. Price, 27, of Holland, Mich.  He was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

             For more information media may contact the Marine Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office at 910-440-0770.

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Gunnery Sgt. Daniel J. Price

from marinecorpstimes:

By Andrew deGrandpré - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jul 30, 2012 20:49:42 EDT

Two elite special operations Marines were killed in combat Sunday in northwestern Afghanistan.

Gunnery Sgt. Daniel J. Price, 27, of Holland, Mich., and Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan W. Gifford, 34, of Palm Bay, Fla., died during a morning patrol in Badghis province, a Marine official told Marine Corps Times on Monday.

Both were critical skills operators assigned to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. Price belonged to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion out Camp Pendleton, Calif. Gifford was from 2nd MSOB out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Although they came from separate commands within MARSOC, Price and Gifford were assigned to the same special operations task force in Afghanistan, the Marine official said.

A Purple Heart recipient, Price experienced ample combat over the last several years. He deployed three times each in support of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a Marine Corps news release.

On Nov. 10, the Marine Corps’ birthday, Price was awarded a Bronze Star with “V” device for his actions during a 2009, battle in Afghanistan’s Farah province. When the remote weapon on his vehicle was destroyed, he climbed on top to man its MK19 grenade launcher, according to his medal citation. As enemy rounds whipped by, Price stayed put — holding his position for four hours and killing “numerous” insurgents in the process.

Price enlisted in 2003 and attended the Marine Corps’ Basic Reconnaissance Course a year later, according to the Marine Corps’ news release. He was a member of Camp Pendleton’s 1st Recon Battalion before joining MAROC in 2008.

Gifford was just shy of 15 years in the service. A member of the Corps’ force reconnaissance community prior to joining MARSOC, he also completed multiple combat deployments and earned a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat “V,” the Marine official said.

It’s not immediately clear how Price and Gifford died. Parts of Badghis province, which borders Turkmenistan, have been marked by violence for the past several years, according to a report published late last year by the Naval Postgraduate School.

Sgt. Justin M. Hansen, also a member of 2nd MSOB, was shot and killed during a house sweep in Badghis province only one week ago. He was on his second deployment to Afghanistan.

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R.I.P. - Spc. Benjamin C. Pleitez

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

             The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Spc. Benjamin C. Pleitez, 25, of Turlock, Calif., died July 27, in Mazar E Sharif, Afghanistan.

            Pleitez was assigned to 1072nd Transportation Company, 746th Combat Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, Van Nuys, Calif.

            For more information pertaining to this release, media may contact the California National Guard public affairs office at 916-99-9525.

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from turlockcitynews:
Written by Cara Hallam
Monday, 30 July 2012 16:30 

The United States Department of Defense released tragic information today that California National Guard soldier Spc. Benjamin C. Pleitez, 25 of Turlock, has been killed in Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

“At present, we do not have further details regarding the circumstances surrounding his death, funeral services or other details at this time,” stated Public Affairs Officer 1st Lt. Will Martin. “We will try to provide all pertinent information once we've had an opportunity to engage his family and secure further details from the U.S. Army.”

Pleitez was deployed to Afghanistan, in the region of Mazar E Sharif, in March of this year. He has been reported as being in service for a little over 5 years. Pleitez worked as a combat medic. This was his first deployment overseas.

Pleitez was assigned to 1072nd Transportation Company, 746th Combat Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, Van Nuys, California.

He is survived by his two parents, Diana and Salvador Pleitez, and two siblings.

More information regarding the incident surrounding the death of Spc. Benjamin Pleitez will be available once the U.S. Army and Department of Defense releases further details.

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R.I.P. - 1st Lt. Sean R. Jacobs, Sgt. John E. Hansen

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

                 The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

                 They died July 26 in Khakrez, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when they encountered an enemy improvised explosive device.  These soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

                 Killed were:

                                 1st Lt. Sean R. Jacobs, 23, of Redding, Calif., and

                                Sgt. John E. Hansen, 41, of Austin, Texas.

                 For more information pertaining to this release, please contact the I Corps public affairs office at 253-477-3048 or 253-370-9861.

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from universityplace.patch.com / Joint Base Lewis-McChord :

1st Lt. Sean R. Jacobs

According to unit records, 1st Lt. Jacobs entered the active Army in May 2010 after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. 1st Lt. Jacobs’ military branch was 13A, Field Artillery. Follow USMA graduation he received is artillery officer training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, before reporting to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in February 2011. Upon arrival he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

He deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in April. This was his first deployment.

1st Lt. Jacob’s education includes U.S. Military Academy, West Point (2010) and 13A: Field Artillery Officer training (2011).

His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Air Assault Badge.



Sgt. John E. Hansen

Sgt. Hansen entered the U.S. Air Force in October 1999 (no further information). In September 2006 he joined the U.S. Army and reported to Fort Sill, Okla., for Initial Army Training and Advanced Individual Training in Military Occupational Specialty 13D (Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist). Sgt. Hansen had assignments at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., Fort Carson, Colo., and Fort Bragg, N.C., before reporting to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Dec. 2011, where he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

He deployed with this unit to Afghanistan in April. This was his second deployment. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Dec. 2007 to Feb. 2009.

Sgt. Hansen’s civilian and military education includes a high school diploma (1989) and Military Occupational Specialty 13D (Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist), Warrior Leader Course (2007), Combat Lifesaver Course (2008), and U.S. Army Airborne School (2010).

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation, Army Achievement Medal (two awards), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Basic Supply-Fuels Qualification Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver – Wheeled Vehicles.

On behalf of the entire Joint Base Lewis-McChord military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of 1st Lt. Jacobs and Sgt. Hansen.

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R.I.P. - Sgt. 1st Class Bobby L. Estle, Pfc. Jose Oscar Belmontes

Sergeant First Class Bobby L. Estle and Private First Class Jose O. Belmontes

DOD Identifies Army Casualties
            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died July 28 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from enemy, small arms fire.  These soldiers were assigned to the 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Drum, N.Y.

            Killed were:

            Sgt. 1st Class Bobby L. Estle, 38, of Lebanon, Ohio, and

            Pfc. Jose Oscar Belmontes, 28, of La Verne, Calif.

            For more information pertaining to this release, please contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at 315-772-7267.

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from 9wsyr:

Fort Drum (WSYR-TV) - Two Fort Drum soldiers serving in Afghanistan were killed on Saturday when their unit was attacked by small arms fire.

Sergeant First Class Bobby L. Estle, 38, of Lebanon, Ohio, a combat engineer and Private First Class Jose O. Belmontes, 28, of La Verne, California, a construction engineer, were killed.

Both men were serving with the 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade were killed in Wardak Province.

Fort Drum provided the following profiles of the soldiers:

Estle joined the Army in March 1993.  After training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Jackson, South Carolina and arrived at Fort Drum in January 2010. Estle deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003 to June 2004 and November 2005 to November 2006. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2010 to July 2010. Estle deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2011.

Estle's awards and decorations include: the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, seven Army Achievement Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, five Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, three Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, four Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, the Combat Action Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Marksmanship Qualification Badge, and the Sapper Tab. He also completed the Route Reconnaissance Clearance Leadership course, the Master Fitness Trainer Course, the Senior Leadership course, the Combatives Level 1 course, the Drill Sergeant School, the Pathfinder course, the Battle Staff course, the Rappel Master course, the Advance Leadership course, the Defense Hazardous Materials course, the Manager Development course, the Supervisor Development program, the Warrior Leadership course, the Air Assault course, the Sapper Leader course, and the Combat Life Savers course.

Estle is survived by his wife, three children, mother and stepfather.

Belmontes joined the Army in February 2011. After training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he arrived at Fort Drum in July 2011.  He deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2011.

Belmontes' awards and decorations include: the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.

Belmontes is survived by his wife, mother and father.

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