By Angela Hatton
Fort Campbell, KY – Fort Campbell officials held a press conference today to address a recent spike in soldier deaths in Afghanistan. So far in June, fifteen Fort Campbell soldiers have died. Lieutenant Colonel Joel Hamby attributes the increase in casualties to Fort Campbell recently assuming command of operations in southern Afghanistan.
"We will see more casualties as combat operations commence. And they're starting in RC-south. We have second brigade and the 101st combat aviation brigade down there. Operations are going to commence; casualties are going to result. And they're going to happen from accidents and they're going to happen from hostile fire."
In addition to around 200 injuries, Fort Campbell has lost 21 soldiers in Afghanistan this year. Hamby says he regrets every life lost.
"We've been at war for nine years. We're a very proud army, we're a very strong army, and we don't like to see our soldiers come back wounded or killed. But it's what we do. I haven't seen a change. I've seen a tremendously patriotic country, but I've seen a very proud post with some very supportive families. "
Fort Campbell brigades continue to deploy overseas. By the end of the year, an estimated 28-thousand will be in combat in Afghanistan.