The Pentagon this weekend identified a U.S. Army soldier died in Iraq and an airman who died in Qatar.
A statement from the Defense Department on Sunday said Spc. Ryan Riley, 22, of Richmond Ky., died Saturday from “a non-combat related incident.” Lt. Col. Martin L. O’Donnell, a spokesman for the 101st Airborne, said “the incident remains under investigation.”
Based out of Fort Campbell in Kentucky, Riley was on his first deployment to Iraq. Since December 2018 he had served as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the military campaign to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Riley had previously deployed to South Korea after first enlisting in October 2016.
“We are deeply saddened by Ryan’s passing. Our hearts go out to his family as together we mourn the loss of our brother-in-arms,” said Col. Derek Thomson, the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne. “As we grieve this tragic loss, we will also draw strength from his memory as his mates continue to build the capacity of the Iraqi Army and enable the defeat of ISIS.”
Riley was a fire control specialist, a job that involves processing tactical battlefield information during combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He had been promoted to the rank of specialist in October 2018, just before deploying to Iraq. He died in Ninawa Province in northern Iraq, a former hotbed of ISIS-activity close to the Syrian border. The cause of his death has not yet been made public.
Riley’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge.
Riley’s death was announced less than a day after the Defense Department identified an airman who died in Qatar while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Staff Sgt. Albert Miller, 24, of Richmond, N.H., died on Friday at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in a non-combat-related incident, which the Pentagon is investigating.
Miller was assigned to the 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
“The 436th Airlift Wing extends its deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the Miller family, friends and fellow Airmen. Staff Sergeant Albert Miller’s passing is a true loss for Dover Air Force Base and the Air Force,” 436th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Joel Safranek said in a statement shared with the Washington Examiner. “Sergeant Miller served at Dover for more than four years as a C-17 Globemaster III Crew Chief responsible for the maintenance, inspections, and flightworthiness of the C-17. He was a positive force in his unit and made valuable contributions to multiple contingency and humanitarian operations around the world. He will be missed by all.”
