2015 Bagram Airfield bombing explained

2015 Bagram suicide bombing
Partof:	War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Location:	Bagram, Parwan Province, Afghanistan
Fatalities:	6
Injuries:	3
Perpetrators:	Taliban, Suicide bomber named Zahidullah
Motive:	To end foreign occupation of Afghanistan

On December 21, 2015, in Bagram, a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing six NATO service members.

Victims

All six of the members killed were of American nationality.

• 2015-12-21, Special Agent Adrianna M. Vorderbruggen[897], U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, US Bomb
• 2015-12-21, Special Agent Michael A. Cinco[898], U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, US Bomb
• 2015-12-21, Special Agent Peter W. Taub[899], U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, US Bomb
• 2015-12-21, Special Agent Chester J. McBride[900], U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, US Bomb
• 2015-12-21, Technical Sergeant Joseph G. Lemm[901], U.S. Air Force Security Forces, US Bomb
• 2015-12-21, Staff Sergeant Louis M. Bonocasa[902], U.S. Air Force Security Forces, US Bomb^[1]

Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban, claimed they were responsible for the attack via Twitter and e-mail.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

Attack

A suicide bomber riding a motorcycle loaded with explosives crashed into a NATO-Afghanistan foot patrol while it was traveling throughout the village near Bagram Air Base. Six American NATO service members were killed with two other Americans and an Afghani injured.^[6]

Reactions

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter responded to the bombing, stating, "our troops are working diligently alongside our Afghan partners to build a brighter future for the Afghan people. Their dedicated efforts will continue despite this tragic event. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of these brave Americans who died in service to this vital mission, and our thoughts remain with all of our troops serving overseas during this holiday season so that we may have peace and security at home."^[7]

White House Office of the Press Secretary issued a statement, stating "we express our deepest condolences to the families of the six U.S. service members killed and to all of those injured in today’s Taliban attack near Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and their loved ones. The United States condemns this cowardly attack on members of the U.S. and Afghan forces, and we remain committed to supporting the Afghan people and their government. We will continue to work together to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan, just as we will not relent in our mission to counter the threat of terrorism that plagues the region."^[8]

See also

• Air Force Office of Special Investigations
• United States Air Force Security Forces
• 2007 Bagram Airfield bombing
• 2014 Bagram Airfield bombing
• 2016 Bagram Airfield bombing

Notes and References

1. Web site: Popalzai. Masoud. Starr. Barbara. 6 U.S. troops killed in motorcycle bomb attack in Afghanistan, officials say. CNN. 21 December 2015.
2. Web site: Lamothe . Dan . Constable . Pamela . Pamela Constable . Six U.S. troops dead, others wounded in apparent suicide attack in Afghanistan. The Washington Post. 22 December 2015.
3. Web site: Motorbike suicide bomber kills six U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Mirwais Harooni and Phil Stewart. 21 December 2015. Reuters.
4. Web site: Six US soldiers killed in Afghanistan suicide attack.
5. Web site: 6 American Soldiers Killed in Taliban Attack in Afghanistan. 22 December 2015. The New York Times.
6. Web site: Suicide attack in Afghanistan leaves 6 U.S. troops dead, official says. CBC. 22 December 2015.
7. Web site: Carter. Ash. Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on Attack Against U.S. Service Members in Afghanistan. U.S. Department of Defense. 22 December 2015.
8. Web site: Statement by the Press Secretary on the Attack in Afghanistan. White House Office of the Press Secretary. 22 December 2015.