At least 2,035 US military deaths in Afghanistan since 2001

As of Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, at least 2,035 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan as a result of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to an Associated Press count.

The AP count is one less than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Tuesday at 10 a.m. EST.

At least 1,698 military service members have died in Afghanistan as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

Outside of Afghanistan, the department reports at least 118 more members of the U.S. military died in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Of those, 11 were the result of hostile action.

The AP count of total OEF casualties outside of Afghanistan is four more than the department's tally.

The Defense Department also counts three military civilian deaths.

Since the start of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, 18,109 U.S. service members have been wounded in hostile action, according to the Defense Department.

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The latest identifications reported by the military:

— Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pa., died of combat-related injuries suffered Dec. 8 while supporting operations near Kabul, Afghanistan; assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. Checque, a Navy SEAL, was killed during a rescue mission that freed an American doctor abducted by the Taliban.

— Two soldiers died Dec. 3, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device; they were assigned to the 818th Engineer Company, 164th Engineer Battalion, Williston, N.D.; killed were: Sgt. 1st Class. Darren M. Linde, 41, of Sidney, Mont., and Spc. Tyler J. Orgaard, 20, of Bismarck, N.D.

— Lance Cpl. Anthony J. Denier, 26, of Mechanicville, N.Y., died Dec. 2, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

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Online:

http://www.defense.gov/news