Army Maj. Brent Taylor, who was killed in an insider attack on Saturday, is shown in Afghanistan. North Ogden City Council photo.
The mayor of a Utah town who was deployed to Afghanistan with the Army National Guard was killed Saturday in yet another insider attack, the Pentagon announced.
Army Maj. Brent Taylor, 39, of North Ogden, Utah, was killed and two other US service members were wounded in the attack.
The attacker was believed to be a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, and was “immediately killed by other Afghan Forces,” according to the Pentagon.
Taylor, who is the mayor of North Ogden, was assigned to the Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters.
“Right now there is a need for my experience and skills to serve in our nation’s long-lasting war in Afghanistan,” wrote Taylor in a January statement to his constituents. “President Trump has ordered an increase in troops, and part of the new strategy focuses on expanding the capabilities of the Afghan commando units. I will be assigned to serve on an advisory team training the staff of an Afghan commando battalion. It is anticipated that I will serve for a period of 12 months.”
On Oct. 22, a Czech soldier deployed in support of NATO’s Operation Resolute Support mission was killed and two others were wounded by an Afghan forces commando in Herat province, Afghanistan.
A few days earlier, the head of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan escaped another targeted attack by someone wearing an Afghan National Army uniform; however, several Afghan leaders were killed and a US Army brigadier general was wounded in that attack.