's death is far from unprecedented : According to CNN 's count , based on U.S. military reports , there have been 1,811 U.S. troops killed during Operation Enduring Freedom , the U.S.-led mission in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 . Each person , each death , is unique . In Domeij 's case , that translates to a man whom his unit commander described as `` irreplaceable '' -- on the battlefield and in life . `` He was one of those men who known by all as much for his humor , enthusiasm and loyal friendship as he was for his unparalleled skill and bravery under fire , '' said Lt. Col. David Hodne , head of the 75th Ranger Regiment 's 2nd battalion . `` This was a Ranger you wanted at your side when the chips were down . '' Domeij distinguished himself as a person as much as he did as a player while in high school , his former coach recalled . `` He was just a great kid , '' Carpenter said , describing his great sense of humor and engaging personality . `` And we knew , as coaches , that
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Fourteen times in nine years , Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer Domeij had left his family behind and headed out on deployment as an Army Ranger , taking part in hundreds of combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan , all before his 30th birthday . His most recent tour turned out to be his last . The veteran soldier 's death rattled his commanders , as well as those in his native San Diego . His former football coach , Jeff Carpenter , remembered Domeij as diligent , funny , passionate and team-oriented . `` I told my classes that I was incredibly sad to begin with and incredibly angry , '' said Carpenter , who besides being an assistant coach the past 18 years is also a social sciences teacher at Rancho Bernardo High School . `` Just the fact that it happened to someone like him -- it 's hard . '' Domeij , 1st Lt. Ashley White and Pvt. 1st Class Christopher Horns all died Saturday in Kandahar province when an improvised explosive device blew up near their assault force , according to a U.S. Army Special Operations Command news release . The trio