Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has offered his condolences to his Czech counterpart for the combat deaths in Afghanistan this week of four soldiers from the Czech Republic.
Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby issued a statement saying Hagel called Czech Minister of Defense Martin Stropnicky today to express "his heartfelt sympathies and those of everyone in the Department of Defense for the families of the fallen."
Hagel thanked the minister for the Czech Republic's contributions to the ISAF mission and noted that "these tragic deaths are a reminder of the still dangerous security environment in Afghanistan and the need for all Afghan and ISAF partners to stay equally committed to the mission."
Kirby said Minister Stropnicky thanked the medical team at Bagram Air Base for the support and care they are providing the Czech soldier who was injured in the attack.