Edgewood Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

A man from Edgewood died this week in Afghanistan while serving in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Staff Sgt. Mark R. De Alencar, 37, was killed in combat when confronted by enemy forces using small arms fire. He died April 8 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, from the resulting injuries.

De Alencar was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Related: Soldier Death Prompts Lowering Of Harford County Flag, Response From Governor

His remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday.

The mission he was serving, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, is a counter-terrorism operation to combat remnants of al Qaeda and support Afghan security forces, according to the Department of Defense.

De Alencar enlisted in 2009 and became part of the special forces in 2016, according to the Army Times. His father was also in the military, the Times reported.

De Alencar reportedly graduated from Joppatowne High School in 1998 and leaves behind his wife and their five children.

Pictured, Staff Photo Credit: U.S. Army.