NATO-led Georgian soldier missing Afghanistan

According to a statement released by Georgian Ministry of Defense, a Georgian soldier serving in NATO-led international coalition forces operations in Afghanistan “is missing” since December 19.

The source further added, “Circumstances are not known yet.”

A search and rescue operation has reportedly been conducted by Regional Command Southwest, whose area of responsibility is Helmand and Nimroz provinces to find out the missing solider.

Georgian Defense ministry following the statement said, “All Georgian units in theater are moved to the highest security alert posture.”

The statement also added that it was not appropriate to give more details due to ongoing search and rescue operation.

Georgia currently has two battalions in the Helmand province of Afghanistan – 12th battalion of the first infantry brigade and 32nd battalion of the third infantry brigade; for the latter it is a second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

At least 18 Georgian troops have been killed in Afghanistan since Georgia started its mission in Afghanistan under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Mission in 2009.

from KHAAMA
By Meena Haseeb - December 20 2012, 2:47 pm

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Marines bid farewell to friend, brother - Cpl. Joshua R. Ashley

Regional Command Southwest
Story and photos by Cpl. Mark Garcia

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – On a quiet Friday afternoon, more than 100 coalition servicemembers gathered to honor Sgt. Joshua R. Ashley, a fallen comrade during a memorial ceremony in the Regional Command Southwest chapel, Aug. 17.

Before the ceremony, Marines constructed a traditional field memorial providing them the opportunity to pay their final respects. The memorial consisted of a kevlar with identification tags signifying never to forget Ashley, a rifle with a bayonet upside down signifying a time of prayer and a break in action to pay tribute and a pair of boots signifying this was Ashley’s last march.
 

Ashley, from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was a dog handler with Military Working Dogs Platoon, Headquarters and Supply Company, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward). He was killed in action July 19 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province. During the ceremony fellow dog handlers and friends spoke of the man and Marine Ashley was and what they would remember most about him.

read more and watch more photos on ApacheClips.com:
http://www.apacheclips.com/boards/showthread.php?15669-Marines-bid-farewell-to-friend-brother-Cpl-Joshua-R-Ashley

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• R.I.P. - Cpl. Joshua R. Ashley (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)

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June 02., 2012. - RC Southwest Operational Update

Regional Command Southwest Operations Update: Insurgents arrested and killed, Bomb Cache and one civilian dies due to an IED.

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Afghan Uniformed Police brought in 250lbs of explosives and other IED materials to an ISAF location in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province, June 1. The materials were subsequently safely destroyed and no longer pose a threat to local civilians.

Also yesterday, a local national struck an IED in the Sangin district. Local nationals brought the severely injured person to an ISAF location to receive medical attention, but he died of wounds en route.

The Helmand Governor's Media Centre reports today that in separate planned security operations conducted over the past four days an insurgent commander was killed. Afghan security forces also seized 37kg of narcotics and arrested five insurgents including a known insurgent who had been accused of killing a policeman. Afghan security forces also reacted to insurgent attacks during this period and in one incident in the Musa Qala district, 15 insurgents were killed, leaving two police injured. During this same period another police officer was killed in a separate incident in the Gereshk district.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/89336/regional-command-southwest-operations-update-insurgents-arrested-and-killed-bomb-cache-and-one-civilian-dies-due-ied#.T8tNnKx_WNI#ixzz1wjJI4iHC

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