Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Kyle Milliken, 38, of Falmouth, Maine, was killed May 5 during a fight against al-Shabaab in Somalia, the first US troop to die in that country since 1993. US forces were conducting an advise and assist mission with members of the Somali National Army when they came under fire near Barii, about 40 miles west of Mogadishu. Milliken was assigned to an East Coast-based special warfare unit, according to a DOD release. “Al-Shabaab presents a threat to Americans and American interests,” US Africa Command said in a statement. “Al Shabaab’s affiliate, al-Qaeda has murdered Americans; radicalizes and recruits terrorists and fighters in the United States.” The US military has increased operations in Somalia recently, with a new White House authorization to increase precision fires in support of allied troops.
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III outlined Dec. 4 the vital importance of U.S. defense investment keeping pace with that of China before issuing a statement warning that such competition would suffer “irreparable” damage if Congress opts for a yearlong continuing resolution, a real possibility being discussed by lawmakers after…