Navy SEAL Killed In Somalia Was UConn Grad, Athlete

A Navy SEAL killed in Somalia during an operation against the terrorist group al-Shabaab on Friday was identified as 38-year-old Kyle Milliken, of Falmouth, Maine, the Department of Defense said. Milliken was a 2001 graduate of UConn and a member of the track and field team at the university, the school said.

A senior chief special warfare operator, Milliken was killed in a remote area approximately 40 miles west of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. He was in support of a Somali National Army-led operation with U.S. Africa Command, according to the Defense Department.

A defense official confirmed to CNN that Milliken was a part of SEAL Team Six, the unit which led the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

"Senior Chief Kyle Milliken embodied the warrior spirit and toughness infused in our very best Navy SEALs. We grieve his death, but we celebrate his life and many accomplishments. He is irreplaceable as a husband, father, son, friend and teammate - and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and teammates," Rear Admiral Timothy Szymanski, commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, said in a statement. "His sacrifice is a stark reminder that Naval Special Operators are forward doing their job, confronting terrorism overseas to prevent evil from reaching our shores."

Through the Navy, Milliken's family issued a brief statement on his passing.

"The Milliken family would like to extend their gratitude to the community for their interest in our beloved Kyle," the statement said. "He was a devoted father and son, a true professional and a wonderful husband. While we appreciate your interest, we ask you respect our need for privacy."

UConn track and field coach Greg Roy spoke highly of Milliken, describing his work ethic on the field and saying he was a great student as well.

"Kyle was a glue kid, the kind of kid that didn't just show up to practice every day, but made those around him better," Roy said. "His work ethic, perseverance and overall toughness was appreciated by everyone around him.

"Kyle was a great student as well, it really didn't surprise me when he made the grade as a Navy Seal. The country has lost a great American and UConn has lost an alum who has made us proud. Our heart goes out to his wife and kids."

Milliken enlisted in the Navy in 2002 and received several awards and decorations during his tenure, according to a bio released by the military.

Milliken's death marks the fourth U.S. casualty abroad in the past two weeks. A solider was killed outside of Mosul in April conducting security as part of an advise-and-assist support to partnered forces supporting the combined joint task force, Operation Inherent Resolve. Just a few days before the casualty in Iraq, two Army Rangers were killed during an anti-ISIS operation in Afghanistan. Milliken's death also marks the first U.S. casualty in Somalia since 1993 when 18 U.S. service members were killed in the infamous "Black Hawk Down" battle. He is also the second Navy SEAL to be killed in action since Chief Ryan Owens was killed in a botched raid in Yemen.

Image courtesy Naval Special Warfare Command