Soldier assigned to local National Guard unit killed
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on October 24, 2011 1:46 PM
As much of the nation celebrated President Barack Obama's announcement that the war in Iraq would be over by the end of the year, members of a Goldsboro-based National Guard unit got a stark reminder that the war on terror is far from won.
230th Brigade Support Battalion 1st Lt. Ashley White was killed Saturday when multiple improvised explosive devices were detonated near her position outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.
The 24-year-old was serving with Special Operations Forces as part of a Cultural Support Team -- a unit that is taught, among other things, special skills that prepare them to interact with women and children in the operational area, as well as advanced individual soldier skills including first aid and weapons training -- a mission she had volunteered for, a National Guard spokesman said.
In a news release, Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, adjutant general of North Carolina and commander of the nearly 12,000 men and women of the North Carolina National Guard, said he and his comrades are mourning their loss with the lieutenant's family.
"We are grieving with her family today. Our prayers are with them during this difficult time," he said. "She was a fine soldier who never shied away from the tough jobs. We will miss her."
According to the National Guard, two other soldiers also died as a result of the attack.
Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29, of San Diego, Calif., and Pfc. Christopher A. Horns, 20, of Colorado Springs, Colo., both assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., also were killed.