The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel

Both soldiers were killed in action on January 11, 2020, when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. The soldiers were conducting operations as part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission. The incident is under investigation.

The deceased are:

Staff Sgt. Ian P. McLaughlin, 29, of Newport News, Virginia.

Pfc. Miguel A. Villalon, 21, of Joliet, Illinois.

Both soldiers were assigned to 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Both soldiers were killed in action Saturday when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

The soldiers were conducting operations as part of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission.