The Special Forces soldier who was killed in Helmand province Jan. 5 was doing something important to help protect Americans and secure Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said today.
Army Staff Sgt. Matthew McClintock was with Afghan forces as part of a "train, advise and assist" mission in Marjah when his unit came under fire, Cook told reporters.
"Staff Sergeant McClintock died in support of Operation Resolute Support, which is helping to keep Americans safe here at home and helping to provide a better future for the Afghan people," Cook said.
New Mexico Native
McClintock was a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a veteran Green Beret on his third tour of duty, Cook said. He was a member of the Washington National Guard, assigned to the1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Buckley, Washington, he added, and he is survived by a wife and infant son.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them and his entire family during this difficult time," Cook said.
Two service members injured in the attack were safely evacuated to Kandahar, Cook said. "We know that there are Americans putting themselves at risk in Afghanistan and Iraq in these positions,” he said. “We take that very, very seriously.”
U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan are supporting the Afghan government and Afghan security forces to help the nation secure and defend itself, Cook said.
"The staff sergeant lost his life doing something important," the press secretary added.
(Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter at @FerdinandoDoD)