DOD Identifies Airmen Killed in Insider Attack

Two special tactics airmen died from wounds sustained in an Aug. 25 attack by two individuals dressed in Afghan National Defense and security forces uniforms at a forward operating base in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced. Capt. Matthew Roland, 27, a special tactics officer with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and SSgt. Forrest Sibley, 31, a combat controller assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Army Airfield, N.C., died after their vehicle came under attack at a base checkpoint, according to a 24th Special Operations Wing release. The airmen were attacked Aug. 25, and died early the next day. “The losses of Matt and Forrest are a terrible blow to everyone who knew them,” said Col. Wolfe Davidson, 24th SOW commander. “These two combat controllers were incredible warriors who not only volunteered to join our nation’s Special Operations Forces, but earned their way to the tip of the spear in defense of our nation.” Roland deployed three times during his five years of service and Sibley deployed four times to “sensitive locations” across the globe, earning the Bronze Star Medal four times, including once with Valor, according to another rel?ease.