First CAG death

[Chops]

From http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,82432,00.html

Army Master Sgt. George A. Fernandez, 36, of El Paso, Texas. Died after being shot in northern Iraq. Assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Also appears that the three soldiers identified as only 'special operations' killed in the car bombing by the two women on the 3rd April were Rangers from 3/75th.

RIP guys

Rgds

Chops

[JTFazz]

Just goes to show that Delta guys bleed and die, too... RIP.

Its unfortunate we may never know much detail about his sacrifice. Doesn't matter... heroes all.

[96B]

How do we know that he was for sure Delta? Is it because he is under ARSOC?

[Chops]

Been through this one before on the boards somewhere I think. From experience HQ Company ARSOC means CAG. Check the listings for CAG KIAs from Afghanistan- normally listed as HQ ARSOC or their parant unit (ie 10th SFGA etc).

Rgds

Chops

[JiJoMacLE45]

Here's a little more information on one of many American hero's:

A member of the Army's Special Operations Command has died after being shot in northern Iraq, the Defense Department announced Friday.

Master Sgt. George A. Fernandez, 36, died Wednesday, officials said in a statement. He is survived by his wife Kathryn and a son, William Andrew, who lived near Fort Bragg.

Details of how Fernandez was killed were not immediately available and attempts Friday to reach family members were not successful.

In a statement issued by the Special Operations Command, Fernandez's family said he was the third generation in his family to serve the U.S. military as a senior noncommissioned officer.

"He served not out of a sense of family obligation, but out of a sense of patriotic duty," the family said in the statement. "He loved America and was proud to be a part of the Special Operations community."

Fernandez was a native of El Paso, Texas, and enlisted as an infantryman in 1992, the Army said. After completing basic and advanced training, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. Fernandez spent a decade with the battalion, rising to the position of platoon sergeant. He was assigned to the Special Operations Command in November.

Fort Bragg said Fernandez was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.

[Duke]

1992 and already an E-8, that's incredible. Ive heard of 14 years to CSM. I dont know what he did, but he was a damn burner.

[JTFazz]

Acronym dictionaries and other military sites list CAG and SFOD-Delta as synonymous. Also, it is likely other components of the USASOC would list their sub unit in any news releases... like 75th Rangers, 160 SOAR, etc. The fact he was awarded a CIB strongly suggests he was Delta or 75th Ranger, but surely he would have been identified with 75th Rangers if he was with them as others have been. His past with the 75th Rangers was recognized in his bio in the info above also.

The rapid rise in rank and lack of information also strongly suggests he was Delta. It is also possible he could have been part of the command structure, but likely his being directly involved in combat suggests otherwise.

[100%Marine]

http://www.fayettevillenc.com/updates.php

delta definately[/url]

[JTFazz]

Pic of MSG Fernandez
http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/images/2003/04/04/image547831l.jpg

[96B]

With all due respect to this great man and his loved ones, I do not believe Delta operators die, they simply go to the afterlife and regroup :D