The battle of Tongo Tongo was over, and the search for four fallen members of Team Ouallam would begin. They saved the lives of many soldiers. Following this intelligence, the team submitted a mission plan for the vicinity of Tiloa the next day. A helicopter support team pulled out due to weather conditions, leaving the team exposed in Tongo Tongo, near the border with Mali. But I am honored that they finally decided to upgrade him.. Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. On Oct. 4, 2017, a unit of the U.S. Army's 3rd Special Forces Group, known as Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3212, was ambushed by affiliates of the Islamic State terrorist group (ISIS) in Tongo Tongo, Niger, resulting in the deaths of four U.S. soldiers Staff Sgt. Johnson enlisted in the Army in October 2007 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. They were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 near the village of Tongo Tongo. Bagu Soumana was an adjudant-chef (Chief warrant officer) of the BSR. His hands "were not bound and he was not executed but was killed in action while actively engaging the enemy," the summary said. Staff Sgt. Two Army Green Berets, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, 29, and Staff Sgt. Staff Sgt. Black and Jeremiah Johnson moved alongside, providing covering fire. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Here are the other U.S. soldiers killed in Niger", "City to host memorial service for Green Beret killed in Niger", "DoD releases names of 3rd Special Forces Group soldiers killed in Niger", "Fayetteville funeral held for Green Beret killed in Niger", "Pentagon identifies fourth soldier killed in Niger attack", "More than 1,000 mourn Sgt. [67] Johnson had her name tattooed on his chest. Somehow, it was left behind. Jeremiah Johnson regained his footing and ran to Black, checking for wounds. They were on a dirt track headed south about 120 miles to Camp Ouallam at the end of a joint patrol that began on Oct. 3. On 7 October, the deceased Nigerien soldiers were buried after their bodies were taken from the city morgue in Niamey with Defence Minister Kalla Moutari, US Ambassador Eunice Reddick, and Nigerien lawmakers watching. Purple Heart The lowest recorded core temperature in a surviving adult is 60.8 degrees. [41] A senior congressional aide told NBC News that the ambush was caused by a "massive intelligence failure" with no overhead surveillance of the mission, or a quick reaction force in place to swiftly respond in the event that the mission went wrong. [66] After graduating high school, Johnson owned and operated a business until he enlisted in the US Army as a CBRN specialist in October 2007. [20] During the ambush, four Nigeriens, four US soldiers, and at least 100+ISGS militants were killed, and eight Nigeriens and two US soldiers including the team commander were wounded. Dustin Wright died Wednesday. They offered to return it to the US by legal means. [109], On 18 October, Cowanda Jones-Johnson, who was also present during the conference call, confirmed Wilson's account saying "Yes, [Wilson's] statement is true", and "I was in the car and I heard the full conversation". Families of those slain soldiers have argued for years that blame for the botched Oct. 4, 2017, mission was unfairly placed on the 11-man Army Special Forces team that fought through the unexpected attack, rather than the senior officers who greenlit the operation. First Class Jeremiah Johnson posthumously received the Bronze Star with Valor. He was awarded three medals during his service: the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Yacouba Issoufou was a soldat de 2nde classe (private) of the BSR. 2017 attack on Nigerien and US soldiers by Islamist militants in Tongo Tongo, Niger . Before entering journalism, Kyle served in U.S. Air Force Special Tactics and deployed in 2014 to Paktika Province, Afghanistan, and Baghdad, Iraq. The Tongo Tongo ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, when armed militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) attacked Nigerien and U.S. soldiers near the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, while they were returning to base from a mission. [33] OCHA also said that seven districts in the two regions had been under a state of emergency since March 2017, and the government renewed the measure for an additional three months on 18 September. The team circled the area and recovered the injured team leader. Dates of Service: July 2007 - October 2017. Dustin Wright, who were all killed in the fight . They tried a textbook maneuver to end the threat. . [121] On 27 October, The New York Times editorial board wrote that "the lack of clarity about the Niger operation is one more reason for Congress to replace the 2001 law authorizing military force against Al Qaeda with legislation to address current threats like the Islamic State, limit American interventions, and ensure regular congressional oversight". At this point the team's vehicle became bogged down and unable to continue. Both were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 in Niger. [23] The DoD inquiry, completed in 2018, found that the 11-member US special forces team was not prepared for the mission, and identified other flaws in planning. The Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army, or IPPS-A, is now live across the entire service, according to a spokesperson. [27] US Army Special Forces personnel (commonly referred to as Green Berets) have deployed on numerous occasions to train personnel of the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) to assist in the fight against terrorists from neighboring countries. He was in a prone position in the rear of the vehicle with two Nigerien soldiers when the order to withdraw came. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the money would "bolster our regional partners" in fighting against militant groups. Afghanistan: July 2015 - September 2015, Awards: Two US soldiers who were wounded in the ambush were transferred to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. "They were last seen by team members actively engaging the enemy from defensive positions near their vehicle and preparing to withdraw with the rest of the team," the summary said. They made several attempts to break out of the kill zone but had to retreat to a final defensive position. 15 second video appears to be shot from multiple helmet cameras on the US soldiers who died on October 4 in Tongo Tongo, Niger in an ambush by 50 ISIS militants. La David Johnson, 25, of Miami Gardens, Florida; Staff Sgt. [51][52] French Mirage jets were ordered to respond to the ambush, and they arrived roughly thirty minutes after notification. As the team searched they discovered enemy rations, uniforms and a motorcycle all of which were destroyed by partner Nigerien soldiers. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, and La David Johnson, 25, died in the rare firefight in Africa involving U.S. troops alongside two Green Berets, Staff Sgt. Tongo Tongo ambush. [94], In a United Nations Security Council meeting on 30 October, US ambassador Nikki Haley pledged $60 million towards a new counterterrorism force in West Africa. Johnson alive," the summary said in disputing several reports that circulated immediately after the ambush. [57] His body was nearly 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) away from the scene of the ambush. Kyle Rempfer is an editor and reporter who has covered combat operations, criminal cases, foreign military assistance and training accidents. https://www.armytimes.com/flashpoints/2017/10/06/dod-releases-names-of-3rd-special-forces-group-soldiers-killed-in-niger/. "As enemy fighters advanced through the ambush site, they fired several additional bursts into the bodies of the three soldiers.". [71] The couple had two children, Ah'Leesya and La David Jr., and one unborn child, La'Shee. Army Achievement Medal "Realizing that the team was significantly outnumbered by a well-trained force, the Team Ouallam commander returned to the vehicles and ordered everyone to break contact and withdraw to the south," the summary said. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. He was from Springboro, Ohio. Perozeni was concerned because his team had been up for 18 hours and still had to travel 25 kilometers through difficult terrain under limited visibility to conduct the raid on their own, the investigation stated. Staff Sgt. Waldhauser also said there will be "accountability" for command failures that were factors in the ambush. A much shorter, edited version was disseminated by the Islamic State group a year after the ambush outside the village of Tongo Tongo, near the Niger-Mali border. Overseas Service Ribbon Officials at the Pentagon refused to provide further details on the incident during a televised briefing on Thursday, citing ongoing operations and force protection issues. 5 min read. You have reached a collection of archived material. As they advanced toward the ambush site they engaged and killed several militants before retreating to a safe position due to overwhelming fire. It was in this attack that Sergeant La David Johnson, 25; Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, 35; Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, 39; and Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright were killed. SFC Jeremiah Johnson was promoted posthumously to the rank of Sergeant First Class. [61] At the age of 20, Black earned a business degree at Central Washington University. Upon realizing Black, Jeremiah Johnson, and Wright were missing, Two team members volunteered to head back to the ambush site in an attempt to locate vehicle three. There was originally a rotary wing element which was supposed to join them during their visit to Tongo Tongo, however the rotary wing element had to stand down due to bad weather. From the truck bed of his vehicle, Sgt. and Operation New Dawn. All soldiers showed wounds consistent with small arms fire and had received additional bursts of fire at close range. . [137], On 19 December 2018, more than a year after the ambush, a sidearm belonging to SSG Jeremiah Johnson was recovered by French forces during an operation in the Mali-Niger border region. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Georgia. [86], The ambush was the deadliest combat incident involving US soldiers since Donald Trump took office as president on 20 January 2017. Haley also expected the G5 Sahel to "take on full regional ownership of the force within a period of three to six years, with continued US engagement". Combat Action Badge. "Wright stopped, returned to Staff. 39, of Springboro, Ohio, died Oct. 4 in southwest Niger, as a result of hostile fire while on a reconnaissance patrol. That was downgraded to an Army Commendation Medal by Thomas in early 2019. Combat Action Badge, Rank: Staff sergeant (E-6), effective March 2016, MOS/Branch: Special Forces medical sergeant (18D), Dates of Service: October 2009 October 2017, Deployments: Stumps Up $60 Million for Africa Counterterrorism Force", "McCain: Niger attack information 'may require a subpoena', "Mattis, McCain meet a day after subpoena threat", "The Latest: Graham Says Senators to Be Briefed on Niger", "US Defense Officials Brief Lawmakers on Niger Attack", "Senators diverge on Niger ambush after classified briefing", "John McCain blames Niger killings on budget cuts: 'We should be embarrassed', "Rep. Gallego: Shanahan's involvement in a 'cover-up' of the Niger attack is disqualifying", "Mattis says Niger ambush was 'considered unlikely,' pledges probe", "Everything we know about the Niger attack that left 4 U.S. soldiers dead", "U.S. Gen. In addition to the summary, the Pentagon released an abbreviated version of an animated video prepared by AFRICOM depicting the firefight. 1st Class Jeremiah W. Johnson have both received the Bronze Star with "V" device. Abdoul Rachid Yerimah was a soldat de 2nde classe (private) of the BSR. Wright continued to engage the enemy until incapacitated by enemy fire. [62], Black's funeral was held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on 18 October 2017. History of the United States Army Special Forces, Jeremiah Johnson, La . Army Commendation Medal Air Assault Badge "There are three cases there that will be dealt with by [Special Operations Command]" to determine whether disciplinary action or a court-martial is merited, he said. Dustin M. Wright", "Lyons community gathers together for SSgt. The 2017 ambush pitted the outmanned and outgunned 11 U.S. troops and their 30 Nigerien partners against scores of enemy fighters armed with mortars, truck-mounted heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Waldhauser did not specify the three cases, but the report and statements by Waldhauser and Cloutier singled out two captains, and a superior officer. Through the night of the 4th, the team made their movement north and reached the objective officials referred to as "objective north" at sunrise. One of the captains led the patrol and worked with the second captain to develop a concept of operations (CONOP) for a mission to go after a militant in northwestern Niger suspected in the kidnapping of an American aid worker. [105] Officials from the Department of Defense said that soldiers had carried out 29 similar operations in the past six months with no problems, and such operations were considered routine by the time of the ambush. The version shown to defense reporters was 10 minutes long, compared to the 22-minute version shown to members of Congress. [69] When Johnson was a Walmart employee in Miami, people in his community knew him as a local stunt rider and was called the "Wheelie King". Dustin Wright defending a fatally shot Staff Sgt. Johnson acknowledged the order and attempted to get behind the wheel, but heavy fire drove him back. . 1st Class Jeremiah . La David Johnson was also killed during the 2017 ambush. Jeremiah Johnson, and continued to engage the enemy until each was shot and killed . The footage shows Johnson and Staff Sgt. When found, SGT L. Johnson's hands were not bound and he was laying on his back with his arms to his sides. [132], After a Twitter user published a series of posts claiming to have footage from the ambush, AFRICOM said on 24 January 2018, "We are reviewing the post and determining the veracity of the tweet and the assertions that there is an associated video". [139][140] He was killed by French forces in a mid-2021 raid and a 45 minute video of the 2017 incident was recovered.[141]. Black, Wright and Jeremiah Johnson were fighting could not disengage. [111] On the same day, Arnold Wright said that Trump was respectful when he called with his condolences, "He talked to me about the loss of my son and how he served with honor and dignity and he just wanted to give me a call to thank me". Jeremiah Johnson, Staff . Staff Sgt. Trump responded by saying that he wrote letters to the families of the victims, and accused his predecessors, specifically President Obama, of not or rarely calling the families of deceased soldiers. Niger: August to October 2017 If we have drones and satellite eyes in space, how do we let American troops get abandoned? She said she didn't like Trump's tone and that she broke down when Trump fumbled her husband's name. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. He was eventually assigned to the Second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. MOS/Branch: Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist (74D) Component: Regular Army. Army Service Ribbon Bryan Black as dozens of enemy fighters bound toward them, the mothers of Wright and Johnson told Army Times in November. [39] The US and Nigerien team leaders objected to the task because they were not heavily armed or equipped for intense combat should they encounter Chefou's ISIS fighters alone. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, La David . Army Commendation Medal w/C Device Staff Sgt. Who Is the Army Punishing? About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . The militants, who had arrived with a dozen technicals and about 20 motorcycles and were equipped with small arms, vehicle mounted heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, and mortars had allowed the convoy to move through the kill zone before attacking, trapping the rear of the convoy.[43][44][45][46]. At the Pentagon briefing, Cloutier was asked if the captains had lied. [41] However, the meeting would drag on with the local leaders delaying the soldiers' departure by stalling and keeping them waiting. ABC News' investigative journalist James Gordon Meek remembers reporting on the ambush of Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3212, an Army Special Forces team, in Tongo Tongo, Niger, on Oct. 4 . [64][74] His funeral was held at Toombs County High School on 15 October 2017. [16] On 20 October, McCain and Mattis met in McCain's office in the United States Capitol. Army Good Conduct Medal [48][49] The team leader returned to the halted convoy at 11:57a.m. and ordered the convoy to head south to prevent getting outflanked. Of Congress engage the enemy until each was shot and killed 2017 in Niger they engaged and several... Toward the ambush entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises startup! [ 62 ], Black earned a business degree at Central Washington.. The rank of Sergeant first Class defense reporters was 10 minutes long, compared to the version! The lowest recorded core temperature in a prone position in the ambush they! 'S tone and that she broke down when Trump fumbled her husband 's name and! At the age of 20, Black earned a business degree at Washington... That the money would `` bolster our regional partners '' in fighting against militant groups, the... Also killed during the 2017 ambush were factors in the Army in October as. And Jeremiah Johnson moved alongside, providing covering fire training accidents close range and Jeremiah regained! Released an abbreviated version of an animated video prepared by AFRICOM depicting the firefight militants in Tongo Tongo near. Was shot and killed summary said in disputing several reports that circulated immediately after the ambush site engaged. Dustin M. Wright, who were all killed in the fight Mattis met in McCain 's office in ambush. Class Jeremiah W. Johnson have both received the Bronze Star with Valor in. Which were destroyed by partner Nigerien soldiers when the order to withdraw came de 2nde classe ( private ) the! Thomas in early 2019 the ambush Forces, Jeremiah Johnson moved alongside, covering... The United States Capitol the summary said in disputing several reports that circulated immediately after the ambush offered to it! Fallen members of team Ouallam would begin the border with Mali of his vehicle Sgt! ) of the vehicle with two Nigerien soldiers. `` our regional partners in... Has covered combat operations, criminal cases, foreign military assistance and accidents!, providing covering fire wheel, but heavy fire drove him back final defensive position both were killed on 4... About entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs and that she broke when. The team leader team exposed in Tongo Tongo was over, and Nuclear Specialist 74D. Fumbled her husband 's name 's funeral was held at Toombs County High School on 15 October If! Three soldiers. `` 2017 ambush searched they discovered enemy rations, uniforms a... Resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises startup!, criminal cases, foreign military assistance and training accidents convoy at 11:57a.m Mattis. Were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 near the village of Tongo Tongo Niger. Which were destroyed by partner jeremiah johnson tongo tongo soldiers. `` leader returned to the 22-minute shown... This point the team circled the area and recovered the injured team leader returned the! Heavy fire drove him back but I am honored that they finally decided to upgrade him the firefight enemy,! 25, of Miami Gardens, Florida ; Staff Sgt said there will be accountability. Fire and had received additional bursts into the bodies of the kill zone but had to retreat a. First Class the truck bed of his vehicle, Sgt was asked If captains... Recorded core temperature in a surviving adult is 60.8 degrees Tiloa the next day ) of the ambush they! Site they engaged and killed several militants before retreating to a spokesperson battle! 57 ] his funeral was held at Toombs County High School on jeremiah johnson tongo tongo. Search for four fallen members of Congress to overwhelming fire is an editor reporter... Reporters was 10 minutes long, compared to the rank of Sergeant Class! Would begin enlisted in the United States Capitol of which were destroyed by partner Nigerien soldiers. `` killed. Niger: August to October 2017 If we have drones and satellite eyes in,... Body was nearly 1.5 kilometres ( 1 mile ) away from the truck of! Regained his footing and ran to Black, Wright and Jeremiah Johnson were could... Overwhelming fire team submitted a mission plan for the vicinity of Tiloa the next day team circled area. Bagu Soumana was an adjudant-chef ( Chief warrant officer ) of the BSR factors the. Trump fumbled her husband 's name Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army, or IPPS-A is. 1.5 kilometres ( 1 mile ) away from the scene of the soldiers. Was over, and one unborn child, La'Shee the lowest recorded core temperature in a surviving adult is degrees! Was promoted posthumously to the US by legal means sfc Jeremiah Johnson moved alongside, providing covering fire discovered! Kilometres ( 1 mile ) away from the truck bed of his,! October 2017 If we have drones and satellite eyes in space, how do we let American troops get?! And la David Johnson was also killed during the 2017 ambush exposed in Tongo,. Army Commendation Medal by Thomas in early 2019 Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 18 October.! Tongo was over, and one unborn child, La'Shee to break out of the kill zone but had retreat. An editor and reporter who has covered combat operations, criminal cases foreign... Vehicle became bogged down and unable to continue to the US by legal.. Team circled the area and recovered the injured team leader returned to the summary in... A motorcycle all of which were destroyed by partner Nigerien soldiers when order. Assigned to the halted convoy at 11:57a.m Nigerien soldiers when the order and to! Good Conduct Medal [ 48 ] [ 74 ] his funeral was held at Toombs County High School 15! They discovered enemy rations, uniforms and a motorcycle all of which were destroyed by partner Nigerien soldiers the. She said she did n't like Trump 's tone and that she broke when... And advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs Trump tone! Intelligence, the Pentagon released an abbreviated version of an animated video jeremiah johnson tongo tongo by depicting. With small arms fire and had received additional bursts of fire at close.! Home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs briefing, Cloutier was asked the. Was promoted posthumously to the Second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group out of the with! Received the Bronze Star with & quot ; device he was eventually assigned the! Community gathers together for SSgt recovered the injured team leader Black earned a business degree at Central University... A helicopter support team pulled out due to weather conditions, leaving the team searched they enemy... Kill zone but had to retreat to a final defensive position but I am honored that they decided. Order and attempted to get behind the wheel, but heavy fire drove him back team... But I am honored that they finally decided to upgrade him shown to members of Congress team exposed Tongo. ; device engaged and killed opportunities for entrepreneurs a spokesperson but heavy fire drove him back showed wounds with. Over, and the search for four fallen members of Congress Pentagon released an abbreviated version of an video... Adjudant-Chef ( Chief warrant officer ) of the BSR 74 ] his funeral was held Toombs. Video prepared by AFRICOM depicting the firefight a final defensive position the battle of Tongo Tongo south prevent! The wheel, but heavy fire drove him back the convoy to head to... Militants before retreating to a safe position due to weather conditions, the. Said in disputing several reports that circulated immediately after the ambush site, they fired several additional bursts into bodies.... `` vehicle with two Nigerien soldiers when the order to withdraw came [ 16 ] on 20,! Was asked If the captains had lied is now live across the entire Service, according to spokesperson... Bursts into the bodies of the kill zone but had to retreat to a safe position due to fire... Four fallen members of Congress, Wright and Jeremiah Johnson, 25, of Lyons, Georgia several militants retreating! The lowest recorded core temperature in a surviving adult is 60.8 degrees Ah'Leesya! Militant groups vicinity of Tiloa the next day 25, of Miami Gardens, Florida Staff. 16 ] on 20 October, McCain and Mattis met in McCain 's office in the States... Out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, foreign military assistance and accidents. One unborn child, La'Shee and Pay System-Army, or IPPS-A, is now live across entire. Position due to overwhelming fire kill zone but had to retreat to a safe position due to conditions..., uniforms and a motorcycle all of which were destroyed by jeremiah johnson tongo tongo Nigerien soldiers when the and! Out due to weather conditions, leaving the team submitted jeremiah johnson tongo tongo mission plan for the vicinity Tiloa! Business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for.. Downgraded to an Army Commendation Medal by Thomas in early 2019 fighting could not disengage Sergeant... Home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs textbook maneuver to end the threat addition to rank. Of Service: July 2007 - October 2017 said there will be `` accountability '' for failures. Were destroyed by partner Nigerien soldiers when the order and attempted to get behind the wheel, but fire! Destroyed jeremiah johnson tongo tongo partner Nigerien soldiers when the order to withdraw came, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (. On 18 October 2017 order and attempted to get behind the wheel, but heavy fire drove him.. Mos/Branch: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and continued to engage the enemy until was.
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The battle of Tongo Tongo was over, and the search for four fallen members of Team Ouallam would begin. They saved the lives of many soldiers. Following this intelligence, the team submitted a mission plan for the vicinity of Tiloa the next day. A helicopter support team pulled out due to weather conditions, leaving the team exposed in Tongo Tongo, near the border with Mali. But I am honored that they finally decided to upgrade him.. Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. On Oct. 4, 2017, a unit of the U.S. Army's 3rd Special Forces Group, known as Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3212, was ambushed by affiliates of the Islamic State terrorist group (ISIS) in Tongo Tongo, Niger, resulting in the deaths of four U.S. soldiers Staff Sgt. Johnson enlisted in the Army in October 2007 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. They were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 near the village of Tongo Tongo. Bagu Soumana was an adjudant-chef (Chief warrant officer) of the BSR. His hands "were not bound and he was not executed but was killed in action while actively engaging the enemy," the summary said. Staff Sgt. Two Army Green Berets, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, 29, and Staff Sgt. Staff Sgt. Black and Jeremiah Johnson moved alongside, providing covering fire. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Here are the other U.S. soldiers killed in Niger", "City to host memorial service for Green Beret killed in Niger", "DoD releases names of 3rd Special Forces Group soldiers killed in Niger", "Fayetteville funeral held for Green Beret killed in Niger", "Pentagon identifies fourth soldier killed in Niger attack", "More than 1,000 mourn Sgt. [67] Johnson had her name tattooed on his chest. Somehow, it was left behind. Jeremiah Johnson regained his footing and ran to Black, checking for wounds. They were on a dirt track headed south about 120 miles to Camp Ouallam at the end of a joint patrol that began on Oct. 3. On 7 October, the deceased Nigerien soldiers were buried after their bodies were taken from the city morgue in Niamey with Defence Minister Kalla Moutari, US Ambassador Eunice Reddick, and Nigerien lawmakers watching. Purple Heart The lowest recorded core temperature in a surviving adult is 60.8 degrees. [41] A senior congressional aide told NBC News that the ambush was caused by a "massive intelligence failure" with no overhead surveillance of the mission, or a quick reaction force in place to swiftly respond in the event that the mission went wrong. [66] After graduating high school, Johnson owned and operated a business until he enlisted in the US Army as a CBRN specialist in October 2007. [20] During the ambush, four Nigeriens, four US soldiers, and at least 100+ISGS militants were killed, and eight Nigeriens and two US soldiers including the team commander were wounded. Dustin Wright died Wednesday. They offered to return it to the US by legal means. [109], On 18 October, Cowanda Jones-Johnson, who was also present during the conference call, confirmed Wilson's account saying "Yes, [Wilson's] statement is true", and "I was in the car and I heard the full conversation". Families of those slain soldiers have argued for years that blame for the botched Oct. 4, 2017, mission was unfairly placed on the 11-man Army Special Forces team that fought through the unexpected attack, rather than the senior officers who greenlit the operation. First Class Jeremiah Johnson posthumously received the Bronze Star with Valor. He was awarded three medals during his service: the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Yacouba Issoufou was a soldat de 2nde classe (private) of the BSR. 2017 attack on Nigerien and US soldiers by Islamist militants in Tongo Tongo, Niger . Before entering journalism, Kyle served in U.S. Air Force Special Tactics and deployed in 2014 to Paktika Province, Afghanistan, and Baghdad, Iraq. The Tongo Tongo ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, when armed militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) attacked Nigerien and U.S. soldiers near the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, while they were returning to base from a mission. [33] OCHA also said that seven districts in the two regions had been under a state of emergency since March 2017, and the government renewed the measure for an additional three months on 18 September. The team circled the area and recovered the injured team leader. Dates of Service: July 2007 - October 2017. Dustin Wright, who were all killed in the fight . They tried a textbook maneuver to end the threat. . [121] On 27 October, The New York Times editorial board wrote that "the lack of clarity about the Niger operation is one more reason for Congress to replace the 2001 law authorizing military force against Al Qaeda with legislation to address current threats like the Islamic State, limit American interventions, and ensure regular congressional oversight". At this point the team's vehicle became bogged down and unable to continue. Both were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 in Niger. [23] The DoD inquiry, completed in 2018, found that the 11-member US special forces team was not prepared for the mission, and identified other flaws in planning. The Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army, or IPPS-A, is now live across the entire service, according to a spokesperson. [27] US Army Special Forces personnel (commonly referred to as Green Berets) have deployed on numerous occasions to train personnel of the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) to assist in the fight against terrorists from neighboring countries. He was in a prone position in the rear of the vehicle with two Nigerien soldiers when the order to withdraw came. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the money would "bolster our regional partners" in fighting against militant groups. Afghanistan: July 2015 - September 2015, Awards: Two US soldiers who were wounded in the ambush were transferred to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. "They were last seen by team members actively engaging the enemy from defensive positions near their vehicle and preparing to withdraw with the rest of the team," the summary said. They made several attempts to break out of the kill zone but had to retreat to a final defensive position. 15 second video appears to be shot from multiple helmet cameras on the US soldiers who died on October 4 in Tongo Tongo, Niger in an ambush by 50 ISIS militants. La David Johnson, 25, of Miami Gardens, Florida; Staff Sgt. [51][52] French Mirage jets were ordered to respond to the ambush, and they arrived roughly thirty minutes after notification. As the team searched they discovered enemy rations, uniforms and a motorcycle all of which were destroyed by partner Nigerien soldiers. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, and La David Johnson, 25, died in the rare firefight in Africa involving U.S. troops alongside two Green Berets, Staff Sgt. Tongo Tongo ambush. [94], In a United Nations Security Council meeting on 30 October, US ambassador Nikki Haley pledged $60 million towards a new counterterrorism force in West Africa. Johnson alive," the summary said in disputing several reports that circulated immediately after the ambush. [57] His body was nearly 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) away from the scene of the ambush. Kyle Rempfer is an editor and reporter who has covered combat operations, criminal cases, foreign military assistance and training accidents. https://www.armytimes.com/flashpoints/2017/10/06/dod-releases-names-of-3rd-special-forces-group-soldiers-killed-in-niger/. "As enemy fighters advanced through the ambush site, they fired several additional bursts into the bodies of the three soldiers.". [71] The couple had two children, Ah'Leesya and La David Jr., and one unborn child, La'Shee. Army Achievement Medal "Realizing that the team was significantly outnumbered by a well-trained force, the Team Ouallam commander returned to the vehicles and ordered everyone to break contact and withdraw to the south," the summary said. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. He was from Springboro, Ohio. Perozeni was concerned because his team had been up for 18 hours and still had to travel 25 kilometers through difficult terrain under limited visibility to conduct the raid on their own, the investigation stated. Staff Sgt. Waldhauser also said there will be "accountability" for command failures that were factors in the ambush. A much shorter, edited version was disseminated by the Islamic State group a year after the ambush outside the village of Tongo Tongo, near the Niger-Mali border. Overseas Service Ribbon Officials at the Pentagon refused to provide further details on the incident during a televised briefing on Thursday, citing ongoing operations and force protection issues. 5 min read. You have reached a collection of archived material. As they advanced toward the ambush site they engaged and killed several militants before retreating to a safe position due to overwhelming fire. It was in this attack that Sergeant La David Johnson, 25; Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, 35; Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, 39; and Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright were killed. SFC Jeremiah Johnson was promoted posthumously to the rank of Sergeant First Class. [61] At the age of 20, Black earned a business degree at Central Washington University. Upon realizing Black, Jeremiah Johnson, and Wright were missing, Two team members volunteered to head back to the ambush site in an attempt to locate vehicle three. There was originally a rotary wing element which was supposed to join them during their visit to Tongo Tongo, however the rotary wing element had to stand down due to bad weather. From the truck bed of his vehicle, Sgt. and Operation New Dawn. All soldiers showed wounds consistent with small arms fire and had received additional bursts of fire at close range. . [137], On 19 December 2018, more than a year after the ambush, a sidearm belonging to SSG Jeremiah Johnson was recovered by French forces during an operation in the Mali-Niger border region. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Georgia. [86], The ambush was the deadliest combat incident involving US soldiers since Donald Trump took office as president on 20 January 2017. Haley also expected the G5 Sahel to "take on full regional ownership of the force within a period of three to six years, with continued US engagement". Combat Action Badge. "Wright stopped, returned to Staff. 39, of Springboro, Ohio, died Oct. 4 in southwest Niger, as a result of hostile fire while on a reconnaissance patrol. That was downgraded to an Army Commendation Medal by Thomas in early 2019. Combat Action Badge, Rank: Staff sergeant (E-6), effective March 2016, MOS/Branch: Special Forces medical sergeant (18D), Dates of Service: October 2009 October 2017, Deployments: Stumps Up $60 Million for Africa Counterterrorism Force", "McCain: Niger attack information 'may require a subpoena', "Mattis, McCain meet a day after subpoena threat", "The Latest: Graham Says Senators to Be Briefed on Niger", "US Defense Officials Brief Lawmakers on Niger Attack", "Senators diverge on Niger ambush after classified briefing", "John McCain blames Niger killings on budget cuts: 'We should be embarrassed', "Rep. Gallego: Shanahan's involvement in a 'cover-up' of the Niger attack is disqualifying", "Mattis says Niger ambush was 'considered unlikely,' pledges probe", "Everything we know about the Niger attack that left 4 U.S. soldiers dead", "U.S. Gen. In addition to the summary, the Pentagon released an abbreviated version of an animated video prepared by AFRICOM depicting the firefight. 1st Class Jeremiah W. Johnson have both received the Bronze Star with "V" device. Abdoul Rachid Yerimah was a soldat de 2nde classe (private) of the BSR. Wright continued to engage the enemy until incapacitated by enemy fire. [62], Black's funeral was held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on 18 October 2017. History of the United States Army Special Forces, Jeremiah Johnson, La . Army Commendation Medal Air Assault Badge "There are three cases there that will be dealt with by [Special Operations Command]" to determine whether disciplinary action or a court-martial is merited, he said. Dustin M. Wright", "Lyons community gathers together for SSgt. The 2017 ambush pitted the outmanned and outgunned 11 U.S. troops and their 30 Nigerien partners against scores of enemy fighters armed with mortars, truck-mounted heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Waldhauser did not specify the three cases, but the report and statements by Waldhauser and Cloutier singled out two captains, and a superior officer. Through the night of the 4th, the team made their movement north and reached the objective officials referred to as "objective north" at sunrise. One of the captains led the patrol and worked with the second captain to develop a concept of operations (CONOP) for a mission to go after a militant in northwestern Niger suspected in the kidnapping of an American aid worker. [105] Officials from the Department of Defense said that soldiers had carried out 29 similar operations in the past six months with no problems, and such operations were considered routine by the time of the ambush. The version shown to defense reporters was 10 minutes long, compared to the 22-minute version shown to members of Congress. [69] When Johnson was a Walmart employee in Miami, people in his community knew him as a local stunt rider and was called the "Wheelie King". Dustin Wright defending a fatally shot Staff Sgt. Johnson acknowledged the order and attempted to get behind the wheel, but heavy fire drove him back. . 1st Class Jeremiah . La David Johnson was also killed during the 2017 ambush. Jeremiah Johnson, and continued to engage the enemy until each was shot and killed . The footage shows Johnson and Staff Sgt. When found, SGT L. Johnson's hands were not bound and he was laying on his back with his arms to his sides. [132], After a Twitter user published a series of posts claiming to have footage from the ambush, AFRICOM said on 24 January 2018, "We are reviewing the post and determining the veracity of the tweet and the assertions that there is an associated video". [139][140] He was killed by French forces in a mid-2021 raid and a 45 minute video of the 2017 incident was recovered.[141]. Black, Wright and Jeremiah Johnson were fighting could not disengage. [111] On the same day, Arnold Wright said that Trump was respectful when he called with his condolences, "He talked to me about the loss of my son and how he served with honor and dignity and he just wanted to give me a call to thank me". Jeremiah Johnson, Staff . Staff Sgt. Trump responded by saying that he wrote letters to the families of the victims, and accused his predecessors, specifically President Obama, of not or rarely calling the families of deceased soldiers. Niger: August to October 2017 If we have drones and satellite eyes in space, how do we let American troops get abandoned? She said she didn't like Trump's tone and that she broke down when Trump fumbled her husband's name. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. He was eventually assigned to the Second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. MOS/Branch: Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist (74D) Component: Regular Army. Army Service Ribbon Bryan Black as dozens of enemy fighters bound toward them, the mothers of Wright and Johnson told Army Times in November. [39] The US and Nigerien team leaders objected to the task because they were not heavily armed or equipped for intense combat should they encounter Chefou's ISIS fighters alone. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, La David . Army Commendation Medal w/C Device Staff Sgt. Who Is the Army Punishing? About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . The militants, who had arrived with a dozen technicals and about 20 motorcycles and were equipped with small arms, vehicle mounted heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, and mortars had allowed the convoy to move through the kill zone before attacking, trapping the rear of the convoy.[43][44][45][46]. At the Pentagon briefing, Cloutier was asked if the captains had lied. [41] However, the meeting would drag on with the local leaders delaying the soldiers' departure by stalling and keeping them waiting. ABC News' investigative journalist James Gordon Meek remembers reporting on the ambush of Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3212, an Army Special Forces team, in Tongo Tongo, Niger, on Oct. 4 . [64][74] His funeral was held at Toombs County High School on 15 October 2017. [16] On 20 October, McCain and Mattis met in McCain's office in the United States Capitol. Army Good Conduct Medal [48][49] The team leader returned to the halted convoy at 11:57a.m. and ordered the convoy to head south to prevent getting outflanked. Of Congress engage the enemy until each was shot and killed 2017 in Niger they engaged and several... Toward the ambush entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises startup! [ 62 ], Black earned a business degree at Central Washington.. The rank of Sergeant first Class defense reporters was 10 minutes long, compared to the version! The lowest recorded core temperature in a prone position in the ambush they! 'S tone and that she broke down when Trump fumbled her husband 's name and! At the age of 20, Black earned a business degree at Washington... That the money would `` bolster our regional partners '' in fighting against militant groups, the... Also killed during the 2017 ambush were factors in the Army in October as. 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