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Press Release 17-020 17 August 2017 Contact: Ileen Kennedy, (801) 403-7655 For Immediate Release 19th SF Soldier Killed in Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan — The Utah Guard member killed in combat formerly announced Wednesday in Afghanistan has been identified as Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler, from Monticello and most recently a resident of Cedar Hills, has been a member of the Utah Guard since 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in April 2017. “Ultimately what we do is very dangerous business,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Burton, the adjutant general. “Our hearts are broken when we lose one of our own. We know these people personally, they are our friends, we respect them and it’s very painful.” Members of 1-19th SF (A), who are currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support, were on mission in partnership with Afghan Forces aimed at further reducing Islamic State of Iraq and Syrian-Khorasan presence in Afghanistan. On Wednesday, August 16, Staff Sgt. Butler was killed and eleven others were injured during a building-clearing mission in Eastern Afghanistan. Initial reports indicate that the building was wired with explosives, and the Soldiers were struck upon entry. Tragedies like this serves as a harsh reminder of what is asked of our military, and the threat is very real. Let no one forget the service and sacrifice of those brave men and women on watch for our nation’s defense. Please keep all of our patriots in your thoughts and prayers.

-30Media Notes: Photos and a bio of Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler are attached.