UNCLASSIFIED
27 February 2012
INFORMATION PAPER
Subject: LTCOL John Darin (JD) Loftis
1.
Purpose. To provide more information about LTCOL Loftis
2.
Key Points.

Member was killed on 25 February 2012 by a gunshot wound to the
head while on duty at the National Police Coordination Center.
Immediate lifesaving procedures were applied.

LTCOL Loftis is survived by: Wife: Holly B. Loftis; Daughters: Alison
B. and Ainsley C.; Mother: Chris B. Janne; Father: John M. Loftis
(mother and father are living in different residences).

Key Points: LTCOL Loftis was a strong volunteer for the program.
This was his second deployment to Afghanistan in an advisory
capacity: PRT member and APH.

Lieutenant Colonel John Darin Loftis worked in the Government of
the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of the Interior with the
AfPak Hands program as the chief plans advisor.

While assigned to a Provincial Reconstruction Team in 2009, Loftis
was said to "have gained so much public praise because he was
fluent in Pashto...his ability to engage with the Afghans in their own
language and earn their trust was a valuable weapon in the
counterinsurgency fight," in an article by Staff Sgt. David Flaherty,
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

"When the Afghan people see that an American is speaking Pashto,
they're more inclined to open up to him, and that's the reason why
he's so successful," said Mohammad Ashraf Nasari, the governor of
Zabul province, Afghanistan. "He can go among the local population
and get their impression of U.S. forces. He can do this better than
any other soldier because he speaks their language and knows their
culture."

Loftis spoke Pashto proficiently and had limited skills in Dari and
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Arabic. While deployed in 2009, he was given a Pashto name: Esan,
meaning the quality of being generous.

Key Quotes:
- “As Afghan Hands our job is to engage with the Afghans, an
assignment that carries with it significant risks. We must remain
vigilant at all times. We cannot shy away from interacting with
our Afghan counterparts, but we must always remain aware of
our environment and the potential for a violent encounter.”
-
“I have to tell you that the morale and attitude of the Hands has
been inspirational. They are all chomping at the bit, wanting to
get back to work with the Afghans. They are concerned, and a
little apprehensive, but they seem determined to not let this be a
moment of defeat.” Both quotes by CAPT James Muir.
- “JD was a good friend and also the #1 buyer of paintings from
Marefat High School/book of proverbs.” CAPT Julienne E.
Almonte.
Prepared by: Gottschalk, LTC, USA
PACC, AME, J5, (571) 256-1510
UNCLASSIFIED