Nigeria, August 6, 2016 – The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, in Southwest Asia.
Lt. Col. Flando E. Jackson, 45, of Lansing, Michigan, died Aug. 4 in Southwest Asia from a non-combat-related injury, the Department of Defence said in a statement, adding that the incident is under investigation.
Jackson was assigned to the 194th Wing, Camp Murray, Washington National Guard, Washington. Meanwhile, the U.S. military conducted a counter-terrorism strike against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula in the Shabwah Governorate in central Yemen, killing three al-Qaida operatives, the release said.
U.S. strikes against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen, put consistent pressure on the terrorist network and prevent them from plotting and executing attacks against Americans, the U.S. homeland and U.S. allies, the release said.
Al-Qaida remains a significant threat to the region, the United States and beyond. Al-Qaida’s presence has a destabilizing effect on Yemen; it is using the unrest in Yemen to provide a haven from which to plan future attacks against our allies as well as the U.S. and its interests, the release said, adding that the U.S. will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt and destroy al-Qaida and its remnants, the release said.
The U.S. remains committed to defeating al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and denying it safe haven regardless of its location. Strikes conducted by the U.S. in Yemen continue to diminish al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula presence in the region, the release said.
