The Defense Department on Monday identified the soldier killed Saturday in Afghanistan as SSgt. Mark R. De Alencar, 37, of Edgewood, Md. De Alencar was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Eglin AFB, Fla. His unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire in Nangarhar Province while it was conducting operations targeting ISIS in the Achin district of the province, according to an Operation Resolute Support statement.
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