A soldier from Idaho killed in Afghanistan

A US soldier was killed in action in Afghanistan, according to the US Department of Defense.

Sgt. 1st Class Dustin B. Ard, 31, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died on August 29, 2019 after being wounded in the province of Zabul, Afghanistan.

The New York Times announced that Dustin Ard had died after landing a helicopter at the start of a joint mission with Afghan commandos, although the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear.

Bruce Ard confirmed the death of his son on the Facebook page of Idaho's state senator, Rob Furniss, stating, "My heart has a hole so big that I can not stand it. He was the best young man I have ever known.

Bruce Ard – the former mayor of Ammon, in Idaho – went on to say that Dustin Ard was "a big son, a brother, a father and a husband. He loved his country and was the kind of person we should all be.

According to Post Register, Dustin Ard left behind his wife, Mary, and a 3-year-old girl, Reagan. The couple is also expecting a son.

Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on October 4, 1987, Dustin Ard enlisted in the army at Hyde Park, Utah in 2011 as a special forces candidate. He had made two tours in Afghanistan and participated in combined exchange training exercises in Indonesia.

"Sgt. The loss of the 1st Ard class is felt throughout the family of our 1st Special Forces Group, "said Colonel Owen G. Ray, commander of 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). "Our priority now is to take care of his family and our soldiers and to provide the best possible care during this period of incredible need."

Dustin Ard is the third American soldier to die this week. Last week, two Special Forces soldiers were killed in Faryab province. According to the New York Times, his death brings to 15 the number of American soldiers killed in action so far this year, the highest number of casualties since 2014, when the Pentagon announced the end of operations. fight in Afghanistan. Thirteen soldiers were killed in 2018 and 11 in 2017.

The Salt Lake Tribune will add more history to its evolution.