Secretary Austin commemorates third anniversary of Abbey Gate attack

Today marks three years since the loss of 13 American service members in a terrorist attack at Abbey Gate outside Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport. Approximately 170 Afghan civilians were also killed in the incident.

"We will never forget these 13 brave Americans — 11 Marines, a Soldier, and a Sailor — who lost their lives defending their teammates and helping to save tens of thousands of Afghans seeking freedom and the opportunity for a better life," stated Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.

Austin further expressed enduring gratitude: "Another year has passed, but our gratitude will never wane. My thoughts are with our fallen troops and their families on this somber day — and with the families of all those whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice during America's two decades of war in Afghanistan."