Afghanistan Toll Sets Monthly Record

Fort Carson Loses More Soldiers

By Robert Weller

It has been a terrible month for American troops in Afghanistan, making the ultimate sacrifice for their country. And it seems to worsen each day.

A female soldier, Sgt. Eduviges G. Wolf, 24, of Hawthorne, Calif., died Oct. 25 in Kunar province when insurgents fired an RPG at her vehicle. She was assigned to the 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

In October, 17 Fort Carson soldiers were killed, including eight on Oct. 5, the latter being the worst individual day's toll since the Vietnam War. The eight, in a remote outpost already scheduled to be closed, were overrun by Taliban.

Last year was the deadliest in Afghanistan for the U.S. and its allies, 295. So far this year 444 have died, and that figure probably is not completely up to date.

President Obama, elected on a promise to end the war as quickly as possible, so far is resisting pressure to send more troops. The commanding general, in a tactic that many generals who have fought other guerrilla wars say will never work, wants to abandon the countryside and defend people in the cities.

Wolf joined the Army in 2003 and trained as a logistics specialist. In the brigade she worked to make sure soldiers had everything they needed in the harsh environment of Afghanistan.

Wolf was given the Army Commendation Medal for her efforts and had earned the Army Achievement Medal three times. more information media may contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at (719) 526-7525; after hours (719) 526-5500.

It was her first deployment downrange.

Although Obama is under tremendous pressure to send more troops, some our allies are saying no more troops until there is a legitimate government.