Two Soldiers with 7th Special Forces Group Killed, several others Wounded in Afghan Military Mission
(left) Sgt. 1st Class Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas and (right) Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rey Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Both soldiers died February 8, 2020 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, as a result of wounds sustained while engaged in combat operations. Credit US Army.
Eglin Air Force Base – The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
Both soldiers died February 8, 2020 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, as a result of wounds sustained while engaged in combat operations. The incident is under investigation.
Both soldiers were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
Sgt. 1st Class Antonio R. Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, died February 8, from wounds sustained during combat operations in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.
“Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez was selfless and served honorably; he was certainly among the best in our unit,” said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Special Forces Group Commander. “Here at the Red Empire, we take care of our own, and Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez’ family will forever be a part of us, we will assist them in any way we can to help them through these trying times.”
Born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, July 26, 1991, he graduated from Mayfield High School in 2009. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, October 13, 2009, and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After completing OSUT he attended the Basic Airborne Course and the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program. He was then assigned to the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. In June 2018 Rodriguez voluntarily re-classified as a Cryptologic Linguist (Spanish).
*Sgt. 1st Class Antonio R. Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Credit US Army
Rodriguez deployed eight times with the 75th Ranger Regiment and twice with 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
He graduated from the Basic, Advanced and Senior Leader Courses; U.S. Army Airborne School; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School; Special Operations Language Course (Spanish); the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and the U.S. Army Ranger School.
Rodriguez’s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (1OLC); Army Achievement Medal (1OLC); Army Good Conduct Medal (second award); National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two Campaign Stars); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Ranger Tab; Combat Infantry and Parachutist Badges.
*Sgt. 1st Class Javier J. Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas. Credit US Army.
Sgt. 1st Class Javier J. Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, died February 8, from wounds sustained during combat operations in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.
“Sgt. 1st Class Gutierrez’ was a warrior that exemplified selfless service and a commitment to the mission, both values that we embody here in the 7th Special Forces Group,” said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Special Forces Group Commander. “Our priority now is to take care of his family and teammates, we will provide the best possible care possible during these trying times.”
Born in Jacksonville, N.C., August 12, 1991, Gutierrez enlisted in the Army in 2009, as an infantryman and was stationed at Fort Bragg, while assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. In 2012 Gutierrez attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection at Fort Bragg, and was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course. He graduated in 2015 as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
Gutierrez deployed once to Iraq while assigned to 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and once to Afghanistan while assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He is a graduate of Basic and Advanced Leader Courses; U.S. Army Airborne School; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School; and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Gutierrez’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal (1OLC); Army Achievement Medal; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2); Army Service Ribbon; Expert Infantry and Parachutist Badges; and the Special Forces Tab.
Afghanistan’s defense ministry said one Afghan soldier was also killed and three injured in the assault.
A member of Nangarhar’s provincial council, Ajmal Omer, told The Associated Press that the gunman was killed. Neither the U.S. military nor the Afghan defense ministry have confirmed the attacker’s fate.
* indicates posthumous promotion
