As it begins its phased drawdown of troops, the United States has experienced its worst month in Afghanistan in terms of fatalities after almost 10 years of warfare.

 

Sixty-six military personnel have died in August, surpassing the previous high mark of 65 in July 2010. Almost half of this month’s death toll was produced by the August 6 helicopter crash, in which 30 Americans—including 17 Navy SEALs—died after insurgents shot down a Chinook in Wardak province.

 

Of the remaining U.S. soldiers killed in August, 23 died in Kandahar and Helmand provinces, where American forces have been doing most of the fighting for the United States. The other 13 were killed in eastern Afghanistan.

 

To date in 2011, 307 Americans have been killed in the war. The total since 2001 is 1,753.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

August is Deadliest Month for US in Afghanistan (by Amir Shah, Associated Press)

Were the Troops Killed in Afghanistan Tricked and Hit by a New Weapon? (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

31 U.S. Troops Killed in Worst-Ever Afghanistan Incident (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)