First Romanian casualties in Afghanistan

[Victor]

Today serg, maj. Silviu Iosif Fogorasi from the 151st Mechanized Infantry Battalion was killed when the patrol he was part of came under attack near Spin Puldac, near the Pakistani border. Another soldier was wounded in the firefight. These are the first Romanian casualties in Afghanistan.

Dumnezeu sa-l ierte!

[Geto-Dacul]

Dumnezeu sa'i ierte ca nu stiu ce fac!

As expected, the first Romanians dying for others' interests... IN AFGHANISTAN! :cry:
A real tragedy.

Regards,

Getu'

[Victor]

He is going to be promoted posthumously to the rank of sublocotenent (2nd lt.) and compensations will be paid to the family. I doubt that these will even come close to replacing their loss.

[Geto-Dacul]

Do you know if he received any decoration? No Michael the Brave?

Getu'

[Victor]

They will probably decorate him, but I doubt that it will be the Mihai Viteazul. With all do respect, it is no the case. Especially since he wasn't an officer.

[Der Maresal]

QUOTE

Do you know of he received any decoration? No Michael the Brave? Getu'

No likely Geto, not likely... :oops:

Here's his picture and the article in Romanian (from BBC)

Primul militar român ucis în Afganistan - sergentul-major Iosif-Silviu Fogoraşi

11.11.2003 20:19 Ora României

(you might find the translation in english from www.bbc.com)

Un comunicat de presă al Ministerului Apărării Naţionale a anunţat că marţi, 11 noiembrie a.c., ora 13.05 (ora României), o coloană de transportoare blindate aparţinând Batalionului 151 Infanterie „Războieni", care acţiona în cadrul Operaţiunii ENDURING FREEDOM din Afganistan, a fost atacată cu focuri de armă automată in zona localităţii Spin Boldak din sudul ţării, în apropierea graniţei cu Pakistanul. În cursul atacului, sergentul-major Iosif-Silviu Fogoraşi, în vârstă de 33 de ani, a fost împuşcat mortal. Este prima victimă a contingentului român din Afganistan, care numără aproximativ 450 de militari. Un alt subofiţer român a fost rănit în cursul atacului. El a fost transportat de un elicopter MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) la baza de la Kandahar şi supus unei intervenţii chirurgicale, starea lui fiind în prezent stabilă.

În comunicat se adaugă că o comisie de la Ministerul Apărării Naţionale se va deplasa în cel mai scurt timp în Afganistan pentru cercetarea circumstanţelor. Pentru moment, au fost luate măsuri suplimentare de protecţie a tuturor militarilor români care acţioneaza in teatrele de operatiuni.

Gelaledin Nezir, purtătorul de cuvânt al MApN a declarat la BBC că ministerul a dat un avertisment de securitate suplimentar militarilor români din Afganistan, cerându-le să respecte cu stricteţe regulile de siguranţă.

and..From Romanian News Sources: This is worth Translating!
===============================================
Moarte la Kandahar

Prima oara dupa Al Doilea Razboi Mondial, un militar roman moare in urma unor schimburi de focuri intr-o misiune internationala * Sergentul major Silviu Iosif Fogorasi, 33 de ani, din Batalionul 151 Infanterie "Lupii Negrii", a fost ucis in Afganistan * El a fost impuscat in cap in timpul unei misiuni tip "Village Team" la granita cu Pakistanul * Un alt militar a fost grav ranit dupa ce a fost impuscat in spate * Starea subofiterului este stabila * La bordul coloanei de opt TAB-uri, asupra caruia s-a deschis focul, se aflau 68 de romani * MApN a anuntat ca se va ocupa de gestionarea completa a acestui incident, inclusiv din punct de vedere financiar * Cei doi militari vor fi decorati, iar Fogorasi Iosif Silviu va fi inaintat post-mortem la gradul de sublocotenent

[English]
For the first time since the Second World war, a Romanian military man dies after a gun battle in an "international mission". Sargent Major Iosif Fogorasi, 33 years old from the 151 Battalion "Black Wolves" was killed in Afghanistan. He was shot in the head, during a "Village Team" mission at the frontier with Pakistan. Another Soldier was severaly wounded after being shot in the back. The NCO is in stable condition. The unit which came under fire was made up of 8 Armored Personell Carriers and carried 68 romanians. The ministary of defence will launch a full investigation about the incident. The two soldiers will be decorated, and Fogorasi Iosif Silviu will be promoted posthumously to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Full article in Romanian here: =>http://www.ziua.net/docs/32036.html
That article gone one to say that Sargent was at the leading vehicle in the column and on top of it when he was shot in the head. After the attack, the order "Carapace" was given (to get inside the APC and close all hatches), and then vehicles returned fire towards the ruins where the shots apparently came from.
The wounded soldiers was avacuated by a US helicopter to Kandahar Hospital where the medics performed complicated surgery. The familly of the wounded man asked that they do not release his name. The dead Sargent Iosif Fagarasi was 33, he was married and without children.
:?

[Geto-Dacul]

Victor wrote :

QUOTE

Especially since he wasn't an officer.

Ah, I forgot that detail...
Un biet nenorocit...

Getu'

[Victor]

QUOTE

Ah, I forgot that detail... Un biet nenorocit... Getu'

I did not mean it in that sense. Simply that the MV Order was and is reserved for officers. For NCOs is the Virtutea Militara Medal.

[Geto-Dacul]

Victor wrote :

QUOTE

For NCOs is the Virtutea Militara Medal.

So the Virtutea Militara exists today?

[johnny_bi]

Any detail about what happened? How was he shot to death ?

[Dr_V]

Of course this is a real tragedy, especially for his family. Of course the Romanian government will promote/decorate him, as he does desirves such honnor. But does it matter what medal he receives? That thing is a symbol anyway! What matters is that the country did not ignored his sacrifice and takes care of his family, as it should do.

Such event was also predictible, as no soldier is imune to bullets even if he's a great fighter. It's a war there, people die. This time was a Romanian, but he wasn't the first and probably won't be the last to die there. Remember that he was a professional soldier and he knew he might not come back. Afganistan is far from a quiet area.

One thing I'm curious thaugh. Did our troops killed the attackers? Most probable they did killed at least some of them, Romanian troops are preaty well trained and don't get scared too easely, so I presume the terorists payed a big price for their attack.

Oh, and that "suplementary safety warning" given by the defence ministry, it's obviousely a stupid idea. I don't think that the comrades of serg maj. Silviu Iosif Fogorasi are more relaxed or less carefull than other soldiers in Afganistan. Especially now, after their comrades death, they'll probably give their best to protect themselvs and maybe to revenge his death.

[Der Maresal]

QUOTE

One thing I'm curious thaugh. Did our troops killed the attackers? Most probable they did killed at least some of them, Romanian troops are preaty well trained and don't get scared too easely, so I presume the terorists payed a big price for their attack.   Oh, and that \"suplementary safety warning\" given by the defence ministry, it's obviousely a stupid idea. I don't think that the comrades of serg maj. Silviu Iosif Fogorasi are more relaxed or less carefull than other soldiers in Afganistan. Especially now, after their comrades death, they'll probably give their best to protect themselvs and maybe to revenge his death.

I don't exactly regard this war as a "Just" Coalition Crusade
against "World Terrorism" :? I think we are wrong to be in Afghanistan, -the Soldiers themselves don't know why they have been send there :!:

So i think it's to soon to start talking about medals and decorations, it's too soon to start talking about "revenge killing" and "getting the terrorists"
since we don't even know who the terrorists are, and who is financing them. Perhaps they are being helped and financed by the exact people we are "allied" with. Perhaps there is a "hidden interest" in the background.
Who financed the Mujahedeen during the Soviet war in Afghanistan? Who gave them Stinger Missiles? Was it not the CIA? :shock:
I stick to the belief that the only just war is a war in defence of your own country, on your own soil. When you are thousands of miles from home - in a desert, fighting for a cause you don't believe in, and don't understand - you should not be there-. :roll:

This romanian soldier, and the Polish officer the other day who died in Irak - died in vain, they did not dye "for their own country"
They died for someone elses country.!
Afghanistan is a prooving ground for a future International Global Police Force lead by the United Nations - And the United Nations was not build to end conflicts - it was created rather to slowly dissolve National Governments and replace them with a Globalist Meritocracy.
The war on terrorism will never end -That I can say for sure.
We have no business in Afghanistan, bring our soldier's home.

Think about it. :idea:

[Dénes]

QUOTE

Today serg, maj. Silviu Iosif Fogorasi

His family name is spelled correctly as Fogarasi (meaning "from Fogaras"=Hungarian name of "Fagaras").
May he rest in peace.

[Der Maresal]

Does anyone care to see that the Romanian Army has reached "Babylon"?
Where are they sending us next?

..our soldiers in Babylon, Irak.



..the last thing we want is to show this painting to the people of Afghanistan or Irak... it really has become a "Crusade" hasn't it..?
Our "blessed" struggle against "world terrorism"- :?
Mihai Viteazu's army of today... Crusade against Islam.. Hurray! :roll: :?

[Dénes]

From CNN International:
A Romanian soldier was shot to death and another was injured Tuesday in southern Afghanistan when a convoy of armored transporters was fired on by unidentified attackers in south Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, Romanian officials said in Bucharest. They identified the dead soldier as Sgt. Maj. Iosif Silviu Fogorasi. He was 33.

Romania, a former communist country, has 450 troops serving in Afghanistan.

Gen. Said Mohammad, head of Afghan forces in the region, said Wednesday the attack came when five Romanian armored cars were stopped at a roadblock south of Kandahar's airport, after returning from Spin Boldak town near the Pakistan border. He said the Romanian soldiers returned fire and killed Fogorasi's assailant, who was apparently wearing a military uniform.

Mohammad ruled out Taliban involvement.