Marine Raider Killed While Assisting in Iraqi Security Force Mission

August 11, 2019 9:05 PM
The new Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command breast insignia. Image courtesy MARSOC Facebook page.

A Marine Raider was killed Saturday by enemy small arms fire while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.

Gunnery Sgt. Scott Koppenhafer, 35, of Mancos, Colo., died Aug. 10 in an incident that is still under investigation, according to a Pentagon announcement. Koppenhafer was assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, part of the Marine Forces Special Operations Command out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

According to a separate statement released Saturday by U.S. Central Command, an unnamed service member was killed during an Iraqi Security Force mission in Ninewah Province, Iraq, while advising and accompanying the ISF during a planned operation. That statement came out before the Pentagon released Koppenhafer’s name.

The following is the text of the Pentagon statement on Aug. 11: 

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

Gunnery Sergeant Scott A. Koppenhafer, 35, of Mancos, Colorado, died August 10, 2019, after being engaged by enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations. This incident is under investigation.

Koppenhafer was assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

The following is the text of the CENTCOM statement on Aug. 10: 

SOUTHWEST ASIA – One U.S. service member died today during an Iraqi Security Force mission in Ninewah province, Iraq, while advising and accompanying the ISF during a planned operation. The name of the service member will be withheld until notification of next of kin.

Megan Eckstein

Megan Eckstein

Megan Eckstein is the former deputy editor for USNI News.

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