Two Fort Carson soldiers killed Friday in Afghanistan
Two Fort Carson Soldiers died during a mission Friday in Afghanistan, and an Army spokesperson denies that an ” insider attack ” was behind the deaths.
A media release by Fort Carson said SPC Joseph P. Collette was one of the soldiers killed. According to a Department of Defense press release, SFC Will D. Lindsay, 33, was the other soldier killed.
Various news outlets reported Saturday that the deaths occurred during an exchange of gunfire with the Taliban, as U.S. and Afghan special forces were conducting a raid on a ” high-value target ” in northern Kunduz Province.
According to some of those reports, it was believed the Taliban was somehow tipped off to the location of coalition forces.
But SFC Debra Richardson, a spokeswoman for the Army’s Resolute Support Headquarters, in Kabul, Afghanistan, denied the theory in an email message Sunday to KRDO NewsChannel 13.
” There are no indications the two Fort Carson soldiers were killed in an insider attack, ” she said. ” They were killed by small-arms fire during a combat operation. ”
Richardson didn’t elaborate.
Lindsay was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson. According to the DOD, Lindsay was from Cortez, Colo.
“The 10th SFG (A) Family is deeply saddened at the loss of Sgt. 1st Class Will Lindsay,” said Col. Lawrence Ferguson, 10th SFG (A) commander. ” Will was one of the best in our formation, with more than a decade of service in the Regiment at all levels of noncommissioned officer leadership. We will focus now on supporting his Family and honoring his legacy and sacrifice. ”
Lindsay joined the Army in 2004, and was a well decorated Green Beret. Among many honors, Lindsay has been awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
Lindsay leaves a wife and four daughters behind.
Collette was assigned to the 242nd Ordnance Battalion, 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, and was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, according to the release.
” The 71st Ordnance Group (EOD) is deeply saddened by the loss of Spc . Joseph P. Collette. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his Family and friends, ” said Col. David K. Green, commander of 71st Ordnance Group (EOD).
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Collette joined the Army in 2010 and was a well decorated soldier. Among his honors, Collette was awarded a Purple Heart.
Collette was married in December and was deployed in Afghanistan just after Christmas.
According to Stars and Stripes, Collette’s body will be taken to Dover Air Force Base by Sunday and a service will be held in his hometown in Lancaster, Ohio.
Collette’s wife, Caela Marie Collette, told KRDO NewsChannel 13 early Sunday morning that the family traveled most of Saturday to bring his body back home from Delaware.
According to Fort Carson, the incident is still under investigation. Collette leaves his wife and four children. The couple each have two children from previous relationships.
