US military deaths in Afghanistan at 2,173

As of Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at least 2,173 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan as a result of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to an Associated Press count.

The AP count is one fewer than the Defense Department’s tally, last updated Tuesday at 10 a.m. EST.

At least 1,794 military service members have died in Afghanistan as a result of hostile action, according to the military’s numbers.

Outside of Afghanistan, the department reports at least 133 more members of the U.S. military died in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Of those, 11 were the result of hostile action.

The AP count of total OEF casualties outside of Afghanistan is two more than the department’s tally.

The Defense Department also counts three military civilian deaths.

Since the start of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, 19,650 U.S. service members have been wounded in hostile action, according to the Defense Department.

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The latest identifications reported by the military:

-Master Sgt. Aaron C. Torian, 36, of Paducah, Ky., died Feb. 15, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan; assigned to 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

-Two soldiers died Feb. 12, in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when they were struck by enemy small arms fire; killed were: Spc. John A. Pelham, 22, of Portland, Ore., and Sgt. First Class Roberto C. Skelt, 41, of York, Fla.; they were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

-Spc. Christopher A. Landis, 27, of Independence, Ky., died Feb. 10, in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from wounds received when the enemy attacked his dismounted patrol with a rocket propelled grenade in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

-Pfc. Joshua A. Gray, 21, of Van Lear, Ky., died Feb. 10, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from a noncombat-related incident; assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

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Online:

https://www.defense.gov/news/