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CIA Agent First U.S. Combat Casualty in Afghanistan Military Campaign
Wednesday, November 28, 2001
(19:45 GMT)
Islam Online & News Agencies

U.S. special forces and other troops, believed to be British, took part in the prison battle and coordinated airstrikes.

WASHINGTON
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) confirmed Wednesday that one of its officers was killed earlier this week in the prison riot at Mazae-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, believed to be the first combat-related American death in the U.S.-led military campaign.

A CIA statement identified the deceased as Johnny Michael "Mike” Spann, 32, of Winfield, Alabama. His body was recovered Wednesday, several hours after Northern Alliance trooops, backed by U.S. airstrikes and special forces, put down a prison rebellion by Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners.

CIA Director George J. Tenet addressed agency employees Wednesday morning. He called Spann "an American hero, a man who showed passion for his country and his agency through his selfless courage."

Tenet added and said his fellow officers should "continue the mission that Mike Spann held” sacred. "And so we will continue our battle against evil with renewed strength and spirit,” Tenet told colleagues, according to a CIA statement.

The flag outside CIA headquarters at McLean, Va., flew at half-staff in honor of Spann.

The confirmation of Spann's death ends intense speculation about American military casualties resulting from the prison riot.
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Dan