An improvised explosive device killed three United States service members, including a soldier from Brush Prairie, as they were on duty Tuesday in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Army 1st Sgt. Eric M. Emond, 39, of Brush Prairie, was killed, along with Army Capt. Andrew Patrick Ross, 29, of Lexington, Va., and Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan J. Elchin, 25, of Hookstown, Pa.
The Department of Defense said the service members’ vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in Andar, in eastern Afghanistan’s Ghazni province. Andar is about 80 miles from the Pakistan border.
The Taliban, which is resurgent in Ghazni province, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a U.S. tank was destroyed.
Tuesday’s attack appears to be the deadliest against U.S. forces in Afghanistan since June 2017, when an Afghan army soldier shot and killed three U.S. soldiers in an insider attack in the Achin district of the eastern Nangarhar province, according to the Associated Press. The Taliban also claimed responsibility for that attack.
Emond was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), out of Fort Bragg, N.C., as was Ross. Elchin was assigned to the 26th Special Tactics Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
The Department of Defense said Emond, a Boston native, had more than 21 years of service between the Marine Corps and Army, and was on his seventh overseas tour.
Emond’s awards and decorations include three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, two NATO Achievement Medals, four Afghanistan Campaign Medals, a NATO Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbons, a National Defense Service Medal, Special Forces and Ranger tabs, a Combat Infantry Badge and a Combat Action Badge.
Emond was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. He is survived by his wife and three children.
“Andrew and Eric were invaluable members and leaders in 3rd Special Forces Group and the special operations community,” said Col. Nathan Prussian, the 3rd Special Forces Group commander, in a news release from the Department of Defense. “Our most heartfelt condolences go out to the families of these brave men.”
Emond is at least the 22nd service member or contractor with Clark County ties killed in action since 2003 as part of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Trudi and I join all Washingtonians in mourning the loss of (1st Sgt.) Eric M. Emond. We send our deep condolences to his family and friends, and thank him for his military service and his ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement Wednesday.
The Department of Defense said the incident was being investigated.
Army Sgt. Leandro A.S. Jasso, 25, of Leavenworth, was killed Saturday during combat operations in the Afghan province of Helmand, Department of Defense officials said Sunday. Jasso was assigned to 2nd Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
