R.I.P. - Gunners Mate 2nd Class Dion Rashun Roberts

DOD Identifies Navy Casualty

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

            Gunners Mate 2nd Class Dion Rashun Roberts, 23, of North Chicago, Ill., died Sept. 22 as a result of a single vehicle accident in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to an East Coast Naval Special Warfare Unit.

            For more information, media may contact Naval Special Warfare Command public affairs office at 619-522-2816.

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from NEWS SUN:

Updated: September 27, 2012 3:36AM

NORTH CHICAGO — The young sailor from North Chicago who died in Afghanistan on Saturday was the victim of a single-vehicle accident, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Department of Defense.

Gunners Mate 2nd Class Dion Rashun Roberts, 23, a 2005 graduate of North Chicago High School, was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom when he was killed in the eastern city of Jalalabad, according to the statement. He was assigned to the East Coast Naval Special Warfare Unit.

Roberts, the son of John and Janice Roberts of the 1800 block of Elizabeth Avenue, also leaves behind a sister and nephew. He was due to return from a six-month deployment in October. Navy officials told the family that Roberts was killed during a training exercise.

He is the first native of North Chicago to die in the War on Terror. Twenty-eight servicemen with Lake County ties have died since 2001.

Roberts, a Navy petty officer, was recalled as charming, charismatic and friendly by friends and relatives.

“He was very highly thought of,” said North Chicago High School Principal Eric Gallagher, who said Roberts was a student in the school’s Academy of Finance, and that he was on the volleyball and tennis teams.

Roberts was also a leader in NJROTC. He enlisted in the Navy as a high school senior and went through boot camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes.

“He had a strong character,” recalled a close friend, Aamin Stokes, who said he enlisted with Roberts on Valentine’s Day, but later changed his mind.

“He was one of a kind, an extraordinary personality,” Stokes said. “He could make any situation the most hilarious.”

Related articles

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Sep. 27., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of al-Qaida facilitator during a security operation in Marawarah district, Kunar province, Sunday.

During the operation the security force observed Al-Qaida facilitator Abdul Rauf, also known as Iftikhar, engaged in insurgent activity. After ensuring no civilians were in the area, the security force engaged Abdul Rauf with a precision airstrike, killing him and two other insurgents.

Abdul Rauf was a Pakistani al-Qaida facilitator who coordinated the movement of foreign fighters into the country, as well as constructing improvised explosive devices for attacks against security forces.

A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and no civilian structures were damaged.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban facilitator in Washer district, Helmand province, today. The facilitator is alleged to coordinate the movement of insurgent fighters and weapons, as well as coordinating attacks across northern Helmand. The security force also seized multiple assault rifles and several kilograms of illegal narcotics as a result of the operation.

Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, recovered a cache of weapons, improvised explosive devices and components during a security operation in Qalat district, Zabul province yesterday. During the operation the partnered forces recovered a number of pressure plate IEDs, 260 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, 100 kilograms of potassium chloride, 25 kilograms of homemade explosive, 15 kilograms of aluminum powder, rocket propelled grenades, ammunition, and two Afghan National Security Forces uniforms.

East

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, killed a number of insurgents during an operation to arrest a Haqqani leader in Sabari district, Khost province, today. The leader is believed to be responsible for conducting multiple rocket-propelled grenade attacks on Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region. As the Afghan-led security force approached the Haqqani leader’s suspected location, multiple armed insurgents maneuvered to attack the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force positively identified the threat and engaged killing the armed insurgents. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents and seized multiple assault rifles and military equipment believed to be intended for future attacks. No civilians were harmed during the operation.

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Sep. 27., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces detained four insurgents, located a weapons cache and cleared five improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Sept. 26.

Ghazni Province
Afghan National Army soldiers detained an insurgent during an engagement in Qarah Bagh District. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Qarah Bagh District.

Kapisa Province
Afghan National Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Nejrab District.

Kunar Province
Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared an IED in Darah Ye Pech District.

Logar Province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Pul-E Alam District.

Paktika Province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Bermal District.

Paktiya Province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Dzadran District. The cache contained small arms, grenades, a mortar round and explosives.

Parwan Province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained three insurgents who were emplacing an IED in Bagram District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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