U.S. SPECIAL FORCES TROOPER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

The U.S. Special Forces trooper killed May 19 in Afghanistan was participating in an operation to root out remaining pockets of al-Qaida and Taliban forces as part of "a multi-faceted effort to try to disrupt their capabilities around the world," says the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.

During the May 20 Pentagon briefing Victoria Clarke said the United States is working with dozens of countries to ensure that Afghanistan is returned "to what it ought to be." The coalition effort involves shared intelligence and law enforcement efforts, she said.

She also noted that the latest casualty follows 36 previous American military fatalities that have occurred "in and around Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom," as well as the loss of life of one Central Intelligence Agency officer, four Canadian soldiers, and one Australian soldier.

Marine Corps Lieutenant General Gregory Newbold, who briefed with Clarke, said that in the most recent incident the West Virginia National Guardsman died of a gunshot wound after his mounted patrol came under hostile fire in eastern Afghanistan. The engagement, which also wounded an Afghan soldier, involved "a quick exchange of fire," the director of operations for the Joint Staff said. Although their precise identity is unclear, he said the attackers are being pursued.

U.S. RESPONDS TO IRAQI AIR DEFENSE PROVOCATION

Referring to the May 19 launch of an Iraqi surface-to-surface missile against U.S. and British aircraft patrolling the southern No-Fly-Zone, Newbold said the Iraqis are using direction-finding equipment at fixed sites to coordinate attacks and increase the effectiveness of their air defense.

The Iraqis are "always trying something new, different, in order to confront our aircraft," he said.

According to a May 20 press release issued by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, precision-guided munitions were launched against the Iraqi fixed site used to coordinate the attack against coalition forces, but the targeting results are still being evaluated.

CENTCOM reports that this was the second Iraqi attempt in 12 days to shoot down coalition aircraft.

The last coalition strike against Iraqi anti-aircraft radar occurred on April 15.