The Battle of Tongo Tongo?

[bigwheelzip]

I was surprised by a story in the news, since I didn't know we were fighting in Niger with boots on the ground.

Three Green Beret killed and two wounded in an ambush outside of Tongo Tongo, Niger.
The team was extracted by French helicopter gunships supported by French fixed-wing aircraft.

A 4th Green Beret was left behind, and a mission was mounted two days later which recovered his body.

It must have been one heck of a fight for a Special Forces soldier to get left behind.

While their stated mission is training, it wouldn't surprise me if it escalated. God bless all who serve.

Missing U.S. commando found dead in Niger desert two days after deadly ambush - LA Times

This story says that two French Special Forces teams helicoptered in, to assist in the fight and help extract the Americans. Thank you, France.
French Special Forces responded to Green Berets ambushed in Niger. | SOFREP

 

[JayCeeNC]

US Special Operations Forces Are in More Countries Than You Can Imagine | The Nation

 

[Watchdog]

I was surprised by a story in the news, since I didn't know we were fighting in Niger with boots on the ground.

You might be surprised at the number of secret operations and covert-wars-nobody-will-talk-about that are going on all over the world. Or U.S.-funded "rebels". Does the word "Contras" ring a bell with you? How about the "Free Syrian Army"...once trained and funded by the CIA? And we won't even talk about Vietnam here, will we?

Don't be shocked if you start to hear stuff coming out of Venezuela next.

 

[UncleEd]

Just as a matter of interest, think about how long we've had forces, trainers, etc. in The Philippines.

The Army went in in 1898 and more than a hundred years
later still fighting Islamic separatists (with a time out, of course,
for WWII).

 

[shouldazagged]

My "like" is for the support from the French troops.

 

[Jinglebob]

I don’t often talk about my military service but this is a topic where I have some experience. Covert operations continue today all across the globe. You would be surprised by how many countries we have Special Forces operating, under the radar.

I served with the 5th Special Forces Group during the late 60’s. Officially, we were operating in South Vietnam but were secretly involved inside Cambodia and Laos as well.

The Studies and Observations Group, or SOG, was an Army Special Forces team that conducted covert operations in the jungles of Southeast Asia. SOG team members were required to sign a 20-year agreement saying they would not discuss their operations. It’s been almost 50 years now.

One of my closest friends and teammate, Gunther Wald, was killed in action along with two other Green Berets during one of those operations across the Laotian border from Quang Tri. He was classified as “missing in action” for more than 40 years before his remains were discovered. Even today they don’t reveal the true location of his death. If this had taken place inside the Republic of Vietnam, they would have had the bodies secured within hours.

If you are interested in Gunther’s story, here is a link: 'A long time coming,' Palisades Park Green Beret killed in Vietnam to be buried in Arlington | NJ.com

Photo of my graduating class of 1967, Ft. Bragg, NC. I’m the guy the arrow points to.

 

[mtgianni]

My Sister in law used to refer to her Ex as "token force". It seems that whenever Govt would announce that we were out of somewhere dangerous and dirty except for a small "token force", her ex was there. Marines do a lot more than just get followed around by reporters.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Sgt. La David Johnson was the soldier who was recovered 2 days after the battle. Sgt. Johnson's funeral is today in Florida.

These are the US soldiers who died in the mission to Tongo Tongo.

From left, Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, 35, of Puyallup, Wash.; Staff Sgt. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio; Sgt. La David Johnson of Miami Gardens, Fla.; and Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Ga.

Prayers for these brave souls and their loved ones.