The Pentagon identified the soldier killed by an improvised explosive device on Oct. 4 in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. SSgt. Adam S. Thomas, 31, was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colo. Thomas was conducting a counterterrorism mission against ISIS alongside Afghan forces when the blast occurred. There were no other casualties. The incident is under investigation, according to the release.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3