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Air Force Academy graduate killed in Afghanistan

Posted at 11:30 AM, Dec 23, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-23 13:30:48-05

An Air Force Academy graduate is one of six U.S. soldiers who were killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan Monday.

Air Force Major Adrianna Vorderbruggen graduated the Academy in 2002, according to her Facebook page.

Maj. Vorderbruggen was one of the first openly gay service members to marry after the military lifted its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," policy, our partners at KRDO reported.

The group "Military Partners and Families Coalition," posted a tribute to Maj. Vorderbruggen on Facebook.

"Major Vorderbruggen was a person who lived for her family and for her country. She was one of the most friendly and laid-back people you could ever hope to meet and was an accomplished airman, a great athlete, and most of all, a wonderful mom. She leaves an indelible legacy of strength and selflessness to all those touched by her life," organizers said.

Maj. Vorderbruggen leaves behind her wife Heather, and son Jacob, according to the Military Partners and Families Coalition.

"We do find comfort in knowing that Heather and Jacob are no longer in the shadows and will be extended the rights and protections due any American military family as they move through this incredibly difficult period in their lives," the group stated on Facebook.

Vorderbruggen died after a suicide attacker rammed an explosives-laden motorcycle into a joint NATO-Afghan patrol Monday.

It was the deadliest attack on international forces since August. 

The soldiers were targeted as they moved through a village near Bagram Airfield, the largest U.S. military facility in Afghanistan, NATO and Afghan officials said. The Taliban claimed responsibility.