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.
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.
