American Servicewomen: The Unseen Cost Of War

Since the attack on America on September 11, 2001, a total of 160 American servicewomen have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. This figure includes two women who were killed during the chaotic retreat and evacuation of Americans and Afghans from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 26, 2021. The causes of death include rocket-propelled grenade fire, improvised explosive devices, vehicle crashes, helicopter accidents, electrocutions, heatstroke, friendly fire, and suicides.

Since the 9/11 attacks, 153 women have been killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Syria

Since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, 153 women have been killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Syria while serving in the US military. This figure represents a significant increase in the number of female casualties compared to previous conflicts, such as the Vietnam War, in which only 16 women died.

The deaths of these women in the post-9/11 wars have raised questions about the policies that put them in harm's way and the long-term implications of cultural shifts regarding women in combat. While some argue that women who died in these military operations were no different from their male counterparts, others suggest that exposing women to combat violence may have unintentionally encouraged a more widespread acceptance of violence against women.

The majority of the 153 female casualties were killed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), with some also dying in military plane crashes or as a result of suicide bombings. Twenty-three of the women who lost their lives were mothers to children aged 18 and younger. The deaths of these women often went unnoticed by the wider public, with news stories of their tragic losses usually appearing only in military-specific press or small hometown newspapers and television accounts.

The question of women serving in combat roles and the subsequent casualties incurred has sparked debate about the potential impact on public opinion and support for America's wars. However, a study published in 2020 found that women dying in combat did not diminish support for military engagements, nor did it significantly influence perceptions of women's capabilities or their fight for equality.

The names and stories of these brave women who gave their lives in service to their country deserve to be remembered and honoured. Each woman had her own unique story, dreams, and people who loved her. They were daughters, mothers, sisters, and friends. While some were young, with their whole lives ahead of them, others were more experienced, with decades of service under their belts.

As we reflect on the sacrifices made by these courageous women, it is essential to ensure that their contributions to America's military efforts are recognised and valued. Their service and sacrifices should never be forgotten, and we must continue to ask critical questions about the policies that put them in harm's way.

Women have died from IEDs, military plane crashes, suicides, and illnesses

Women have been killed by IEDs, military plane crashes, suicides, and illnesses in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Here are some examples:

IEDs

IEDs have been responsible for the deaths of many American servicewomen in Iraq and Afghanistan. For instance, in 2005, 1st Lt. Laura M. Walker was killed in an IED attack on her Humvee. In 2011, Pfc. Sarina Butcher died in an IED attack in Paktia Province, Afghanistan. In 2013, Capt. Jennifer M. Moreno, an Army nurse, was killed in an IED ambush while accompanying Rangers in Afghanistan.

Military Plane Crashes

Some American servicewomen have also lost their lives in military plane crashes. For example, in 2002, Marine Sgt. Jeannette L. Winters died in a KC-130 crash in the Pakistan mountains. In 2015, a U.S. military transport plane crashed in Afghanistan, killing six U.S. military service members and five civilian contractors.

Suicides

Suicide has been a significant cause of death among American service members in general, with over 30,000 post-9/11 veterans and service members taking their own lives. While I was unable to find specific examples of women who died by suicide, it is likely that some of the reported deaths fall into this category.

Illnesses

In some cases, American servicewomen have died due to illnesses contracted while serving. For instance, Lt. Col. Gwendolyn A. Locht was evacuated from Afghanistan in May 2010 due to a non-combat illness and later died in November of that year.

160 women have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom

Since the attack on America on September 11, 2001, a total of 160 women deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have lost their lives in service to America. This figure includes two women who were killed during the chaotic retreat and evacuation of Americans and Afghans from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 26, 2021.

Women have served in the armed forces with courage and distinction, but the loss of female soldiers in the Middle East wars has been unprecedented in modern history. The deaths of these women, who served bravely in the War on Terrorism, often went unnoticed by the media, with their tragic stories appearing only in small hometown newspapers or military press.

The causes of death for these women were varied and included improvised explosive devices (IEDs), military plane crashes, rocket-propelled grenade fire, vehicle crashes, and electrocutions. Many also suffered severe injuries, including the loss of limbs.

The women who died in post-9/11 military operations were no different than the men. However, the deliberate exposure of women to combat violence signalled a cultural shift. As a nation, we must consider the long-term implications of this shift, which may have unintentionally encouraged the acceptance of violence against women.

The sacrifices made by these women, who were a part of the war effort, should not be forgotten. They volunteered to go to war and served their country with valour. It is important to acknowledge their triumphs and remember them with phrases like "went down fighting" or "died for her country".

Iran-backed militias have killed at least 603 US troops in Iraq

According to a Pentagon report, Iran-backed militias killed at least 603 US troops during the Iraq War. This number has been revised upwards from earlier estimates of around 500. The deaths are attributed to proxies sponsored by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran's elite military force. The majority of the deaths occurred during the surge in Iraq, when President George W. Bush deployed thousands more troops to the country to deal with the sectarian civil war between Shiite and Sunni groups.

The Pentagon report states that the casualties were the result of explosively formed penetrators (EFPs), other improvised explosive devices (IEDs), improvised rocket-assisted munitions (IRAMs), rockets, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), small arms, sniper fire, and other attacks. These weapons were allegedly supplied by Iran to Shiite militias.

The revised death toll means that Iran is responsible for 17% of all US troop deaths in Iraq between 2003 and 2011. This is in addition to the thousands of Iraqi troops and civilians killed by Iranian proxy forces during this period.

The issue of Iranian-backed militias targeting US troops in Iraq is a sensitive one, with lawsuits filed in US courts seeking to hold the Iranian government legally accountable. The US government has also imposed sanctions on Iran and continues to pressure the regime to curtail its influence in the Middle East.

The deaths of US servicewomen in Iraq and Afghanistan is also a tragic aspect of the conflicts. According to various sources, nearly 200 women have died in these wars, with one source citing a figure of 153 women who lost their lives in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Syria since September 11, 2001. These servicewomen died in a variety of ways, including IED attacks, military plane crashes, and non-combat incidents. Their sacrifices are often overlooked, and their stories are not always remembered in the same way as their male counterparts.

US servicewomen have been killed by hostile fire, accidents, and improvised explosive devices

US servicewomen have faced numerous dangers while serving their country, and many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Out of the nearly 200 female service members who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, several have been killed by hostile fire, accidents, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Hostile Fire

US servicewomen have faced the deadly threat of hostile fire in combat zones. In the Vietnam War, 1st Lt. Sharon Lane, an Army nurse, was the only American servicewoman killed by hostile fire. Lane was stationed at Chu Lai base during the height of the war when a Soviet-built rocket struck the hospital, taking her life instantly. Her tragic death shocked her colleagues and friends, and she has since been immortalized in books, statues, and television shows.

Accidents

Accidents are a significant cause of fatalities among US servicewomen. According to a report, 73% of active-duty personnel deaths occurred under circumstances unrelated to war. This includes transportation accidents, such as plane crashes and train incidents. For example, in 2020, US Coast Guard Ensign Morgan Garrett and US Navy Lt. Rhiannon Ross lost their lives in a plane crash during a routine training flight in Alabama. In another tragic incident, two servicewomen, Spec. Latosha Vines and Pfc. Lena Karungi, were killed by a train in Germany while walking near the train tracks.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

IEDs have been a deadly threat to US servicewomen in Iraq and Afghanistan. By some estimates, IEDs have caused at least half of American troop fatalities in these regions. In 2009, Air Force Lt. Roslyn L. Schulte and Air Force Senior Airman Ashton L.M. Goodman were killed in separate IED attacks on their vehicles near Kabul and Bagram Airfield, respectively. These tragic incidents highlight the constant danger faced by servicewomen in combat zones.

The deaths of these brave servicewomen underscore the sacrifices made by female members of the US military. While their stories may not always receive widespread media attention, their service and contributions to their country are no less significant.

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