https://www.armytimes.com/flashpoints/2017/10/06/dod-releases-names-of-3rd-special-forces-group-soldiers-killed-in-niger/. It was shot near Tongo Tongo in Niger last October and shows Isis militants in pickups en route to the attack. Two . [1], Nine valor medals, including four Silver Stars, were awarded to members of ODA 3212 for their actions during the ambush. Jordan: May 2012, Awards: Wright, 29, was a native of Lyons, Georgia. [131] On 5 December, people with knowledge of the operation told BuzzFeed that what happened in Niger "was the result of reckless behavior by US Special Forces". Team members last saw Staff Sergeants Bryan Black, Jeremiah Johnson, and Dustin Wright taking cover behind the team's unarmored SUV. Johnson, 39, served as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist, also known as a 74D. 47 relations. [123], Interviewed in a 2020 documentary, United States Army veteran and author Paul Rieckhoff described the significance of the incident:.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, When I watch that video I think of the worst-case scenario. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal [21], The ambush sparked political debate over the presence of US forces in Africa and brought attention to previously under-reported US military activities in the region. The incident is under investigation. [86], The ambush was the deadliest combat incident involving US soldiers since Donald Trump took office as president on 20 January 2017. At 1522 on 6 October 2017, the Nigeriens transferred the remains of SGT L. Johnson to U.S. custody. First Class Jeremiah W. Johnson, Staff Sgt. [100], On 26 October, Robert Karem, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Air Force Major General Albert Elton briefed the Senate Armed Services Committee in a closed session. [103], On 9 May 2019, US Representative Ruben Gallego urged senators to oppose Patrick M. Shanahan's nomination as Secretary of Defense, alleging that he "mishandled" the investigation into the Tongo Tongo ambush. Dustin Wright, Staff Sgt. [121] On 27 October, The New York Times editorial board wrote that "the lack of clarity about the Niger operation is one more reason for Congress to replace the 2001 law authorizing military force against Al Qaeda with legislation to address current threats like the Islamic State, limit American interventions, and ensure regular congressional oversight". At 11:40 a.m., as the patrol was about the length of a football field outside Tongo Tongo, they began taking small-arms fire from a treeline to their east. 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson ODA 3212 In Other News On Oct. 4, 2017, a unit of the U.S. Army's 3rd Special Forces Group, known as Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3212, was ambushed by affiliates of the Islamic State terrorist group (ISIS) in Tongo Tongo, Niger, resulting in the deaths of four U.S. soldiers Staff Sgt. It was ambushed outside the village of Tongo Tongo by a large group of Islamic State militants that had been tracking its movements for hours. National Defense Service Medal 1st Class Jeremiah . [64][74] His funeral was held at Toombs County High School on 15 October 2017. He previously deployed to Jordan in 2012. Jeremiah Wayne Johnson. Believing he had successfully reentered his vehicle, the other vehicles had left the area. The Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army, or IPPS-A, is now live across the entire service, according to a spokesperson. All deaths were considered either instantly fatal or rapidly fatal. [63], Jeremiah Wayne "JW" Johnson (19772017) of Springboro, Ohio, was born in New Bern, North Carolina, to J.W. . . The former was aboard Air Force One, having left Las Vegas after visiting victims and first responders affected by a recent mass shooting. [55] Within three to four hours after the soldiers called in for support, a French special operations team arrived at the scene. Within minutes, an unarmed US drone captured video of the firefight. Djibouti: April 2016 September 2016 After the meeting, Mattis told reporters, "We can do better at communication". Johnsons mother said a new building at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is also being built for 3rd Special Forces Group the unit her son was assigned and that will be dedicated to him as Johnson Hall. The team reported enemy contact and immediately returned fire using vehicle mounted M240 machine guns while the rest of the team dismounted from their vehicles, donned protective equipment, and began to exchange small arms fire. Jeremiah Johnson, Black and Wright were outside the same vehicle when . From there, he "continued to return fire against the pursuing enemy. The approved mission plan originally called for a helicopter team as the primary force with the Quallam team serving as a quick reaction force, however bad weather forced the helicopter team to cancel forcing team Quallam to continue on their own. The top U.S. military officer, Army Gen. Mark Milley, has delivered a message to Ukrainian soldiers at a new training program Two of three NATO surveillance planes deployed temporarily to Romania have arrived at an air base near Bucharest. After viewing new helmet camera footage recovered last year, Army officials have decided to award the Silver Star medal to one of four U.S. troops killed in an ambush by Islamic State-aligned militants in Niger nearly five years ago, Army Times has learned. But the team leaders' concerns were overruled by a higher command. The new footage provided a more comprehensive understanding of Johnsons actions during the ambush, and directly led to the decision for the upgraded award, Army spokesman Matt Leonard confirmed. Black, 35, served as a Special Forces medical sergeant, also known as an 18D. [67], Johnson's family enrolled him in 5000 Role Models, a mentorship program of US Representative Frederica Wilson that prepared African American children for college, vocational school, or the military. Staff Sgt. Certificate of Achievement (two awards) Who Is the Army Punishing? The team circled the area and recovered the injured team leader. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class and received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. [125], Multiple US officials told CNN that the French military was leading an investigation to gather intelligence about the perpetrators of the ambush. Black, killing him instantly," the summary said. Staff Sgt Jeremiah Johnson.jpg 310 435; 19 KB. Army Achievement Medal Approximately 85 meters (93yd) southwest of the SUV, Jeremiah Johnson was hit by enemy fire and collapsed; Wright stopped running and returned to Jeremiah Johnson's position. [41] A senior congressional aide told NBC News that the ambush was caused by a "massive intelligence failure" with no overhead surveillance of the mission, or a quick reaction force in place to swiftly respond in the event that the mission went wrong. When he ran out of ammunition for the M240, he fought on with an M2010 sniper rifle, the summary and video said. ", "APNewsBreak: US soldier fought to end after ambush in Niger", "ISIS Affiliate Claims October Attack on U.S. [70] In January 2014, Johnson enlisted in the US Army as a wheeled vehicle mechanic (91B). [13] Meritorious Service Medal . The plan the team submitted did not accurately describe the mission's intention, describing it as civil/military reconnaissance instead of the actual purpose which was to locate and capture or if necessary kill the ISGS sub-commander. Username. The mission of the Department of Defense is to provide a lethal Joint Force to defend the security of our country and sustain American influence abroad. Jeremiah Johnson and Sgt. Soldiers, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tongo_Tongo_ambush&oldid=1133945159, Green Beret senior Officers and team leaders disciplined for the outcome of the ambush, This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 06:37. They quickly put it on as the firefight began. La David Johnson and 3 fellow soldiers killed in Niger", "Miami stunt rider known as the 'Wheelie King', "For soldier killed in Niger, making life better every day in the world was his mission", "U.S. Army Sgt. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal [52][50][53][13] Even though there was now air support, the French pilots could not engage because they could not readily identify enemy forces in the firefight. [17][26][28] The expectations were that construction of the base would be completed in 2018, which would allow the US to conduct surveillance operations with the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper to monitor ISIL insurgents flowing south and other extremists flowing north from the Sahel region. Both were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 in Niger. The first call for air support came 53 minutes after they started taking fire. To avoid confusion, throughout this report SFC Johnson is referred to as Staff Sergeant (SSG) Johnson, as that was his rank at the time . But the militarys accusation that the team went off-script on the mission still bothers her. The native of Puyallup, Washington, enlisted in the Army in October 2009, according to a statement from U.S. Army Special Operations Command. She said she didn't like Trump's tone and that she broke down when Trump fumbled her husband's name. Tongo Tongo ambush footage, October 2017.webm. Army Good Conduct Medal The two remained with Black's body and further assessed his wounds. They tried a textbook maneuver to end the threat. At this point two additional team members would head back toward the initial ambush site to help locate the missing teammates. [29][4] The ISGS had since been targeting pro-government militias that support the French and United Nations forces in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Jeremiah Johnson regained his footing and ran to Black, checking for wounds. ISIS release helmet camera footage of soldiers Byan Black, Jeremiah Johnson, Dustin Wright and La David Johnson being killed in Niger. Army Commendation Medal (two awards) La David Terrence Johnson was an African American Army Sergeant, vehicle mechanic, and father who was killed in the Tongo Tongo Ambush on October 4, 2017 in the West African nation of Niger, alongside three other American soldiers, Staff Sergeants Bryan Black, Jeremiah Johnson, and Dustin Wright. Parachutist Badge Sgt. The version shown to defense reporters was 10 minutes long, compared to the 22-minute version shown to members of Congress. Niger vehicles one and two were the first vehicles to depart. Army Commendation Medal w/ C Device A helicopter support team pulled out due to weather conditions, leaving the team exposed in Tongo Tongo, near the border with Mali. Purple Heart This account was disputed by Trump, who said that he "had a very nice conversation with the woman, with the wife" and accused Wilson of "fabricating" her account. [19], Bryan Christopher Black (19822017) of Puyallup, Washington,[60] was born in Camp Pendleton, California, to Henry and Karen Black. March 8, 2018 1:43 PM EST. [4], According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 46 attacks occurred since early 2016 in the Tahoua and Tillabri regions of Niger. [63] US Representative Dennis Heck and Washington State Senator Hans Zeiger spoke at his memorial service. 39, of Springboro, Ohio, died Oct. 4 in southwest Niger, as a result of hostile fire while on a reconnaissance patrol. La David Johnson received the Silver Star after firing his weapon until it ran out of ammunition, switching to another gun and making a last stand alone under a tree against an enemy truck and its heavy machine gun. ISIS has released a sickening video appearing to show their fighters ambushing and killing four US soldiers in Niger. Somehow, it was left behind. All three were assigned to the Armys 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, 39; Sergeant La David Johnson, 25; and Staff . ", "What Are U.S. Combat Infantryman Badge They killed at least four of the attackers before they were forced back by the larger enemy unit. He was eventually assigned to the Second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Dustin Wright were killed as they returned from a low-risk patrol in Tongo Tongo with 30 Nigerian and up . [128] The US Department of Defense released military records on 26 October that showed that the killed US soldiers had little to no experience in combat. [111] On the same day, Arnold Wright said that Trump was respectful when he called with his condolences, "He talked to me about the loss of my son and how he served with honor and dignity and he just wanted to give me a call to thank me". Dustin Wright defending a fatally shot Staff Sgt. Parachutist Tab [20], On 17 May 2018, the US Department of Defense released a 23 minute video[108] showing a digital recreation of the ambush. Jeremiah Johnson, Sgt. Armed Forces Service Medal Purple Heart He was incapacitated but still breathing, as the helmet cam stopped moving and was only heaving up and down . Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio; and Staff Sgt. [27] A senior US intelligence official told ABC News that at least 21 militants were killed, all of which were buried on the Malian side of the border. [62], Black's funeral was held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on 18 October 2017. [134], Six medals were awarded to Nigerien soldiers. Here are the other U.S. soldiers killed in Niger", "City to host memorial service for Green Beret killed in Niger", "DoD releases names of 3rd Special Forces Group soldiers killed in Niger", "Fayetteville funeral held for Green Beret killed in Niger", "Pentagon identifies fourth soldier killed in Niger attack", "More than 1,000 mourn Sgt. The Tongo Tongo ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, when armed militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) attacked Nigerien and U.S. soldiers near the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, while they were returning to base from a mission. Search by Name . Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Niger: August to October 2017 They saved the lives of many soldiers. Staff Sgt. Members of the 3rd Special Forces Group, 2nd battalion cry at the tomb of US Army Sgt. Sgt. As the team searched they discovered enemy rations, uniforms and a motorcycle all of which were destroyed by partner Nigerien soldiers. Through the night of the 4th, the team made their movement north and reached the objective officials referred to as "objective north" at sunrise. The battle of Tongo Tongo was over, and the search for four fallen members of Team Ouallam would begin. "Realizing that the team was significantly outnumbered by a well-trained force, the Team Ouallam commander returned to the vehicles and ordered everyone to break contact and withdraw to the south," the summary said. Approximately 100 meters (110yd) outside of the village, armed ISGS militants believed to be led by Doundou Chefou, a lieutenant in the terrorist group given the code name "Naylor Road" by US forces,[42] began their assault against the rear of the convoy. Bryan Black, Sgt. The Tongo Tongo ambush or the Niger ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, when armed militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) attacked Nigerien and US soldiers outside the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, while they were returning to base after a stop in the village. Niger: June 2016 November 2016 In a statement attributed to Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the group said, "We declare our responsibility for the attack on the US commandos last October in the Tongo Tongo region of Niger". Silver Star medal Niger ambush Tongo Tongo ambush Army medals to Niger ambush soldiers killed in Niger U.S. Africa Command October 2017 Niger Sgt. [61] At the age of 20, Black earned a business degree at Central Washington University. Trump responded by saying that he wrote letters to the families of the victims, and accused his predecessors, specifically President Obama, of not or rarely calling the families of deceased soldiers. While there, the Team OUALLAM commander conducted an . [69] When Johnson was a Walmart employee in Miami, people in his community knew him as a local stunt rider and was called the "Wheelie King". They offered to return it to the US by legal means. [78], On 5 October, President Mahamadou Issoufou condemned the ambush and called for a moment of silence "to the memory of our soldiers who have fallen on the field of honour" and to the memory of "all victims of terrorism". The clash . Both Nigerien soldiers were killed by enemy fire as LaDavid continued sprinting through the open desert. 5 min read. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Army Good Conduct Medal (two awards) [132], After a Twitter user published a series of posts claiming to have footage from the ambush, AFRICOM said on 24 January 2018, "We are reviewing the post and determining the veracity of the tweet and the assertions that there is an associated video". Username. Waldhauser also said there will be "accountability" for command failures that were factors in the ambush. 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