Fort Meade Sailor Killed In Syria Suicide Bomb Attack

FORT MEADE, MD — A Navy cryptologic intelligence expert stationed at Fort George Meade was among three Americans killed Jan. 16 in Manbij, Syria, as a result of wounds suffered from a suicide improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense said. Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Shannon M. Kent, 35, of upstate New York had been assigned to Cryptologic Warfare Activity 66, based at Fort Meade.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the rare morning attack in the U.S.-patrolled town of Manbij in northern Syria, saying one of its members carried out a suicide attack and detonated his vest filled with explosives. Kent and other military personnel were at a restaurant near a crowded market for a meeting with local leaders, Stars and Stripes reports. Members of the Manbij Military Council, which has controlled the city since it was liberated from ISIS in 2016, were also reportedly killed.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and teammates of Chief Petty Officer Kent during this extremely difficult time. She was a rockstar, an outstanding Chief Petty Officer, and leader to many in the Navy Information Warfare Community,” said Cmdr. Joseph Harrison, Commanding Officer, CWA-66, in a statement.

Cassandra Nolan, who described Kent as one of her best friends, said Kent was “an indescribably amazing person” and leaves behind two sons under the age of 5. “I love you Shannon,” Nolan wrote, Stars and Stripes reported. “You made the world a better place and you deserved the world in return. I’m heartbroken.”

Kent, who grew up in upstate New York, enlisted in the Navy Dec. 11, 2003, and graduated from boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., in February 2004. Her other military assignments included Navy Information Operations Command, Fort Gordon, Ga.; Navy Special Warfare Support Activity 2, Norfolk, Va.; Personnel Resource Development Office, Washington, D.C.; Navy Information Operations Command, Fort Meade, Md.; and Cryptologic Warfare Group 6, Fort Meade, Md. Kent reported to CWA 66 after the command was established on Aug. 10, 2018.

“Chief Kent’s drive, determination and tenacity were infectious. Although she has left us way too soon, she will not be forgotten, and her legacy will live on with us,” said CWA 66 Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collections) Denise Vola.

Kent’s awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon, and Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.

Also killed in the bombing were Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan R. Farmer, 37, of Boynton Beach, Florida, who was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and DOD civilian Scott A. Wirtz of St. Louis, Missouri, who was assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency as an operations support specialist.

A spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS, said in a statement posted to Twitter that the service members were conducting a routine patrol at the time of the explosion. Three other service members were wounded in the explosion.

"Our deepest sympathies and love go out to the families of the brave American heroes who were killed today in Syria," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement."We also pray for the soldiers who were wounded in the attack. Our service members and their families have all sacrificed so much for our country."

The deaths are the first U.S. casualties since President Donald Trump announced intentions to withdraw troops from the country in December.

Videos released by local activists and news agencies showed a restaurant that suffered extensive damage and a street covered with debris and blood. Several cars were also damaged. Another video showed a helicopter flying over the area.

Reporting and writing from The Associated Press was used in this report.

PHOTO: Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Shannon M. Kent, 35, who was killed Jan. 16, 2019, in Manbij, Syria, while assigned to Cryptologic Warfare Activity 66 (CWA 66), supporting Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Navy/Released)